Pink is a very popular color that comes in many different shades and hues. When most people think of pink, a soft, light pink comes to mind. However, pink can range from very pale and barely there pinks to bold and striking hot pinks. So how many different shades of pink are there exactly? Let’s take a closer look at the color pink and the vast array of shades it has.
The Origins of the Color Pink
Before we can count the shades, we first need to understand where the color pink comes from. Pink was named after a flower called pinks, which were called that because their petals had jagged or pinked edges. The first recorded use of the word pink in English was in the 14th century. Pink became more popular in the 18th century and was associated with femininity.
In colors, pink is made by combining red and white. By adjusting the proportions of red to white, you can create different shades of pink. More red makes a bolder, darker pink while more white makes a softer, lighter pink. This allows for many variations.
How Many Shades of Pink Are There?
So how many different shades of pink are there? The answer is…a lot! Pink is a very versatile color with many subtle variations. Here are some key facts about pink shades:
- There are over 198 named shades of pink recognized by Pantone, the color matching system used by designers and manufacturers.
- The Pantone Matching System has 13 different pink color ranges that span various hues of pink.
- Other color cataloguing systems like RAL and Trumatch have at least 30 distinct shades of pink.
- When combined with tints and tones, there are potentially thousands of shades of pink.
As you can see, narrowing down an exact number of pink shades is difficult because of just how many variations there are when accounting for different hues, tints, tones and naming variations.
Major Shades of Pink
While the number may be elusive, we can identify some of the major and most popular shades of pink:
| Shade Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Baby Pink | #F4C2C2 |
| Baker-Miller Pink | #FF91AF |
| Blush | #DE5D83 |
| Brink Pink | #FB607F |
| Carnation Pink | #FFA6C9 |
| Cherry Blossom Pink | #FFB7C5 |
| Coral Pink | #F88379 |
| Deep Pink | #FF1493 |
| French Pink | #FD6C9E |
| Frostee Pink | #FFDDF4 |
| Fuchsia Pink | #FF00FF |
| Fuzzy Wuzzy Pink | #CC6666 |
| Hot Pink | #FF69B4 |
| Lavender Pink | #FBAED2 |
| Light Pink | #FFB6C1 |
| Mimi Pink | #FFDAE9 |
| Mountbatten Pink | #997A8D |
| Pale Pink | #FADADD |
| Pastel Pink | #DEA5A4 |
| Persian Pink | #F77FBE |
| Pink Flamingo | #FC74FD |
| Pink Sherbet | #F78FA7 |
| Pink Pearl | #E7ACCF |
| Queen Pink | #E8CCD7 |
| Shocking Pink | #FC0FC0 |
| Tickle Me Pink | #FC89AC |
This table shows some of the most popular and recognized shades of pink along with their hex color codes. It illustrates the wide spectrum that pink can cover.
Pink Color Palettes
Another way to view the range of pink is through pink color palettes. Brands, designers and artists use specially curated color palettes in their work. Here are some popular pink palettes:
Millennial Pink Palette
Millennial pink, a pale tone of pink, is associated with the millennial generation. The shades in this palette range from soft pink to accent peach colors.
Parisian Pink Palette
Parisian pink is a romantic and feminine palette inspired by the city of Paris. These pinks are soft and elegant.
Ballet Pink Palette
Ballet pinks are lighter pink shades named after the soft pink color of ballet leotards and slippers. They lend a gentle, dainty feel.
Factors that Create Different Pink Shades
Now that we’ve seen examples of popular pink shades and palettes, let’s examine what factors go into creating different shades of pink:
Hue
The hue refers to where the pink shade falls on the color spectrum. A pink can lean more towards red, purple, orange or be a pure pink. Pink hues include magenta, ruby, raspberry, salmon, carnation, and more.
Tint
Tint refers to how light or dark a color is. Pink tints range from pale, light pinks to deep and vivid pinks. Tint is adjusted by how much white or black is added to the pink base. More white creates a lighter tint.
Tone
Tone is produced by adding gray to a color to mute it. Pink tones include mauve, dusty, muted and brown-tinged pinks. Adding gray makes pink softer and less saturated.
Shade
Shade is how much black is mixed into the pink, making it darker. Pink can have various dark shades like crimson, ruby, magenta and fuchsia.
Temperature
Some pinks lean cool in tone like those with purple, blue or gray. Others feel warm, like pinks accented with red, orange and yellow. Most pinks are either warm or cool in temperature.
Psychology of Pink Shades
Why are there so many pink varieties? It’s because the subtle emotional associations and meanings of different pink shades makes them useful for conveying certain moods. Here is how pink shades are often perceived psychologically:
- Soft pinks – innocent, feminine, romantic, sweet
- Bright pinks – fun, playful, youthful energy
- Pale pinks – elegant, graceful, calming
- Deep pinks – powerful, passionate, bold
- Dusty pinks – charming, nostalgic, vintage
Brands and designers carefully pick pinks to convey specific sentiments. For example, a baby brand may pick a soft innocent pink while a women’s fashion brand goes for an empowering hot pink. Being able to access many shades gives flexibility to use pink effectively.
Use of Pink in Design and Decor
Pink is a color that gets used across many industries thanks to its ability to set a mood. Here are some examples of how different pink shades get strategically used:
Fashion
Fashion uses soft blush pinks for a romantic feminine touch and fuchsia pinks to make bold style statements. Pastel pinks denote springtime and brighter pinks represent youth and fun.
Cosmetics and Beauty
Makeup products like lipsticks and blushes cover the range of pink shades to suit different complexions and styles, from the palest ballerina to the most striking hot pink pouts.
Interiors
For interiors, blush pinks create relaxing bedrooms, pale pinks a nursery, and deep pinks add drama to living rooms. Pink color flows work for bathrooms and kitchens.
Food and Beverage
Pink desserts look especially appetizing. Rosy pink cocktails denote fun, tropical flavors. Millennial pink packaging and branding fits youthful, female demographics.
Events
Baby showers, bridal showers and birthday parties for girls use all manner of pink tones for decorations, floral arrangements and cake icing.
Most Popular Pink Shades
Now that we’ve covered the expansive range of the color pink, let’s look at some of the most popular pink shades that people love to use:
Millennial Pink
Millennial pink has dominated in fashion, advertising, events and social media over the last decade. This pale, soft hue captured a zeitgeist.
Rose Quartz
Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year, this rosy mid-tone pink continues to have staying power across industries.
Bubblegum Pink
Bold, playful, fun. This bright, youthful hot pink makes a statement whenever it’s used.
Blush Pink
The pink flush in cheeks. This natural, feminine pink is widely appealing and works in any context.
Cotton Candy Pink
This light, dreamy pink hue evokes childhood whimsy and sweetness. It’s a decorators’ favorite.
Conclusion
In summary, despite the challenges of quantifying an exact number, one thing is clear – pink is a color with seemingly endless shades and permutations. By manipulating the hue, tint, tone and other properties, pink can span the spectrum from innocent and sweet to exotic and daring. This versatility and ability to express subtle moods and concepts makes pink a favorite among designers, brands and the fashion conscious. So the next time you see a striking pink, know that it is just one representation from a kaleidoscopic world of pink possibilities.
