Grey is a neutral color that can take on different hues depending on the colors it is paired with. Many people wonder if grey has blue tones or not. The short answer is that some shades of grey do contain hints of blue, while others do not. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the color grey, examine how it is created, and determine when it takes on a blue cast.
The Color Spectrum
To understand if grey contains blue tones, it helps to first look at how colors are created. The visible color spectrum ranges from violet to red. Secondary colors like green, orange and purple are created by mixing two primary colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel. Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color.
Grey is not part of the basic color spectrum, but is instead created by mixing black and white. True greys contain equal parts black and white pigments. Since black and white do not have hue, true greys are completely neutral.
However, grey can take on different color casts when it is mixed with small amounts of color. Adding a touch of blue, green, purple or other hues will tint the grey. The result is a grey that is no longer completely neutral, but that has subtle hints of other colors.
Cool and Warm Greys
Greys are often described as being either cool or warm. Cool greys have subtle hints of blue, green or purple. They may remind you of blue-grey skies, silver metal or cool stone. Warm greys contain tiny amounts of red, orange or yellow instead. They evoke thoughts of wood smoke, charcoal or brown stone.
Whether a grey appears cool or warm depends both on its exact mix and the colors it is paired with. A grey will look cooler next to warm colors like red or orange, and warmer next to cool hues like blue or purple. Context plays a key role in how we perceive color.
Blue-Grey
Blue-grey is one specific type of cool grey. As the name implies, it contains a higher percentage of blue than other shades of grey. Blue-greys range from pale and icy to dark and moody. They are created by adding blue to the neutral grey base.
Some examples of blue-grey colors include:
| Alice Blue | Very pale blue-tinged grey |
| Cadet Grey | Medium grey with hints of blue |
| Steel Blue | Darker blue-grey similar to blue steel metal |
These blue-infused greys clearly contain blue tones. The blue casts become especially apparent when paired with warm colors like peach or coral.
Greige
Greige is a term used to describe shades of grey with subtle beige or brown tones mixed in. It sits between grey and beige on the color spectrum. Greige colors include:
| Mushroom | Soft warm grey with brown undertones |
| Khaki | Greyed-out khaki green color |
| Sand | Light tan-grey reminiscent of sand |
These greige shades do not contain any blue tones. The warmth from the brown, beige and tan undertones cancels out any cool or blue casts. Greige creates a cozy, earthy grey color palette.
Using Color Context
The colors surrounding a grey shade impact how we perceive it. Here are some examples of how color context changes grey:
| Grey + Blues | Makes the grey appear warmer and enhancing any brown tones |
| Grey + Yellows | Brings out the gray’s cool blue undertones |
| Grey + Greens | Gives the grey a natural, lush look |
Pay attention to the colors used with grey. Warm colors make grey look cooler, while cool colors give grey a warmer appearance.
Lightness and Saturation
The lightness and saturation of a color also impact how we perceive its undertones. Very pale, washed out greys do not have strong color casts since much of the pigment has been diluted with white. In contrast, deeper, more saturated greys reveal their subtle hints of color more clearly.
A dark charcoal grey will look more intensely blue than a pale grey, for example. Muted, soft greys have weaker undertones than bold, saturated greys.
Conclusion
In summary, while pure neutral grey does not contain any color, most real-world shades pick up hints of other hues. Cool greys take on subtle blue, green or purple tones. Blue-grey specifically mixes grey with noticeable amounts of blue for an icy, cool look. Warm greys incorporate brown, tan or peach instead of blue. How we perceive these undertones also depends on the surrounding color context and the depth of shade. Many greys do contain hints of blue, but not all. It depends on the exact mix and application.
