There are thousands of named colors used in various contexts like design, fashion, marketing, printing, and more. The exact number is difficult to pin down as new color names are created frequently. However, examining some of the major color dictionaries and systems can provide a good estimate of the number of named colors that exist. In this article, we’ll look at the color names contained in widely used sources like Pantone, RAL, X11, HTML/CSS, Crayola, and more.
Key Color Systems and Number of Colors
Here are some of the major color dictionaries and systems that contain named colors:
| Color System | Number of Colors |
|---|---|
| Pantone Matching System | Over 1,100 |
| RAL Classic | 213 |
| RAL Effect | 420 |
| RAL Design | 1625 |
| Natural Color System | 1,950 |
| X11 | 147 |
| HTML/CSS | 147 |
| Crayola | 120 |
| Resene (paint) | Over 1,700 |
| Dulux (paint) | Over 2,000 |
As we can see, the number of named colors ranges from a little over 100 to thousands depending on the specific system. Let’s take a closer look at some of the major color libraries and dictionaries.
Pantone
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is one of the most widely used and well-known color systems. Pantone is used for design, printing, manufacturing, and more. The Pantone Matching System has over 1,100 specific colors with assigned numbers and names. Some examples include:
– PMS 1235 (Orange Peel)
– PMS 7739 (Regal Blue)
– PMS 1375 (Sunshine Yellow)
– PMS 206 (Red Violet)
In addition to the core Pantone Matching System, Pantone has multiple other color libraries:
– Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors System – 2,161 colors
– Pantone Textile Paper System – over 6,000 colors
– Pantone Plastics System – 845 colors
– Pantone Extended Gamut Coated – 1,729 colors
Adding these together brings the total number of named Pantone colors to well over 10,000. However, the core Pantone Matching System is the most commonly used subset.
RAL
RAL is a color matching system used for varnish, powder coating, plastics, and more. RAL colors are standardized to enable accurate color communication. There are several RAL color systems:
– RAL Classic – 213 colors
– RAL Effect – 420 colors with metallic or pearl effect
– RAL Design – 1,625 solid colors
So the total number of named RAL colors is around 2,250. Some examples are:
– RAL 1028 (Melon Yellow)
– RAL 5002 (Ultramarine Blue)
– RAL 3020 (Traffic Red)
Natural Color System
The Natural Color System (NCS) is based on how humans perceive color. It was developed for architecture, design, arts, and more. The NCS color collection has 1,950 named colors organized into six color circle segments. Some NCS colors include:
– S 0580-Y10R (Vintage Red)
– S 2065-R80B (French Blue)
– S 0500-N (Standard White)
X11 Colors
X11 is a standard color system used in web browsers and the Linux operating system. The X11 RGB color list has 147 specific colors such as:
– Lavender
– Thistle
– Plum
– Orchid
– Fuchsia
– Magenta
– OrangeRed
The X11 colors are defined by their RGB values. Many X11 colors are also present in other color dictionaries.
HTML/CSS Colors
HTML and CSS also support 147 standard color names. HTML and CSS were originally based on the X11 color system, so the 147 color names are the same:
– Red
– Lime
– Blue
– Yellow
– Magenta
– Olive
– Maroon
In HTML and CSS, these colors can be used by their names directly without needing RGB values.
Crayola
Crayola produces a popular line of crayons, colored pencils, and markers. There are currently 120 colors in the Crayola lineup, including:
– Red
– Yellow
– Green
– Orange
– Blue
– Violet
Some of the more distinctive Crayola colors are:
– Inchworm
– Laser Lemon
– Wild Watermelon
– Razzmatazz
– Fuchsia
Resene and Dulux Paints
Resene and Dulux are major paint brands that produce a wide range of colored paints. Resene has over 1,700 named paint colors. Some examples are:
– Napa
– Jandal
– Splash
– Blue Bark
Dulux paint has over 2,000 specific paint colors available. Some Dulux colors are:
– Heritage Red
– Ocean Blue
– Fresh Moss
– Diamond White
Other Brand-Specific Color Palettes
In addition to the large color systems we’ve covered so far, many major brands have their own proprietary color palettes:
– IKEA – 126 Colors
– OPI Nail Polish – Over 200 Colors
– Apple iOS Human Interface – Over 300 Colors
– Microsoft Office and Windows – Over 100 Colors
– Target Brand – 194 Unique Colors
So dozens or hundreds more named colors can be added from the color palettes of recognizable brands.
New Colors Are Always Being Created
With all of the thousands of colors that exist, new shades and names are still created on a regular basis. Designers and paint companies continue to formulate colors to fill perceived gaps. Startups like withhue.com and findcolors.com allow users to name and share newly created colors. So the total number of named colors is inherently fluid and increasing, estimated conservatively to be over 10,000 already.
Conclusion
While there is no definitive count, the number of named colors that exist across major color systems and brands numbers at least in the thousands. Pantone boasts over 10,000 named colors. RAL has around 2,250 standardized colors. Other sources like NCS, Crayola, X11, HTML/CSS, and brand style guides add hundreds or thousands more. And new colors are being created daily, ensuring the count will continue to grow. So we estimate there are conservatively over 10,000 named colors, with new names being added every year.