Duke University’s official school colors are Duke Blue and White. Duke Blue is a specific shade of blue that the university has trademarked and uses for its athletic teams and other branding purposes. Determining the exact color specifications for Duke Blue can be complicated, as there are a few different ways to define and represent color.
The History of Duke Blue
The Duke Blue color was officially adopted in 1888 when Trinity College, the predecessor to Duke University, first began fielding athletic teams. School newspapers from that time period described the color as a “royal blue.” In 1915, the shade of blue used for the school’s academic hoods was standardized as a particular hue of French blue. This became known as Duke Blue and has been the official color ever since.
Over the years, Duke has trademarked several specific color codes to represent Duke Blue for consistency across applications. In the 1980s, they trademarked Pantone Matching System (PMS) 282 as the official Duke Blue. More recently, Duke has also trademarked official RGB and CMYK color codes for Duke Blue:
| Color Model | Color Code |
|---|---|
| Pantone | PMS 282 |
| RGB | 0, 0, 156 |
| CMYK | 100, 100, 0, 34 |
So in summary, the specific “Duke Blue” color is defined by these color codes across different color models. PMS 282 is probably the most official representation.
Interpreting Duke Blue Color Codes
The different Duke Blue color codes provide precise definitions of the shade of blue, but what do they actually look like? Here is some additional context on interpreting each code:
- PMS 282 – Pantone provides small swatch cards that show the exact color for each PMS code. This allows designers and printers to precisely match Pantone colors. PMS 282 appears as a rich, somewhat dark royal blue.
- RGB 0, 0, 156 – The RGB code defines the mix of red, green, and blue light to create the color on digital displays. 0 red, 0 green, and 156 blue creates Duke’s blue hue. Higher RGB values are brighter, so this is a darker blue.
- CMYK 100, 100, 0, 34 – CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) is used for print design. 100% cyan and magenta with 0% yellow and 34% black ink creates the Duke Blue print color.
While these color codes precisely define Duke Blue, it can still vary slightly depending on the medium. On a computer screen, the RGB code renders Duke Blue. But on a printed poster using the CMYK code, it may look slightly different due to the inks and paper used. The Pantone swatch cards provide the closest representation of how Duke Blue should look when accurately reproduced.
Duke Blue in Comparison to Other Blues
How does Duke Blue compare to other well-known shades of blue? Here is how it stacks up against some famous blues across different industries:
| Blue Color | PMS Code | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Blue | PMS 282 | Duke University branding |
| UCLA Blue | PMS 288 | UCLA branding |
| Facebook Blue | PMS 2746 | Facebook logo & branding |
| Tiffany Blue | PMS 1837 | Tiffany & Co. branding |
| IBM Blue | PMS 289 | IBM branding |
As the PMS codes show, Duke Blue is its own distinct shade of blue. It is darker than the vibrant blue used by Facebook or Tiffany & Co. UCLA Blue is the closest out of the compared colors, but Duke Blue is still a bit darker than UCLA’s shade.
Uses of Duke Blue
Duke University has trademarked Duke Blue specifically to protect its use across athletics and university branding applications. Some of the most common uses of Duke Blue include:
- Duke athletic uniforms – All of Duke’s sports teams feature Duke Blue prominently in their uniforms and gear.
- University logos – Duke Blue is used in the official Duke University logo, the Duke Athletics logo, and other sub-brand logos.
- Graduation regalia – Graduating students and faculty wear Duke Blue caps and gowns.
- Promotional materials – Publications, banners, merchandise, and other items use Duke Blue.
- Campus facilities – Benches, trash cans, and other campus fixtures are often Duke Blue.
Duke is protective of unauthorized use of Duke Blue. In 2022, the university filed a trademark lawsuit against MarkMonitor, a brand protection company, for using Duke’s shade of blue in their marketing materials without permission.
Duke Blue in Culture
As one of the most recognizable college colors, Duke Blue has made its mark on culture and language beyond just the university:
- The “Cameron Crazies” – Duke basketball fans who wear Duke Blue and cheer on the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
- “Once a blue devil, always a blue devil” – A phrase about retaining ties to Duke post-graduation.
- “Blue blood” – The blue in Duke Blue leads some to associate Duke with blue blood royalty and elitism.
- “Blue devil” – Duke’s mascot, artwork, and language play off the supernatural blue devil imagery.
Duke Blue has also been featured in movies and television when referencing Duke or showing Duke apparel. Some examples include:
- The Simpsons
- Family Guy
- Billy Madison
- The Office
Duke students and alumni also often display the blue proudly when attending major sporting events like the NCAA basketball tournament.
Conclusion
Duke Blue is an iconic color in the world of universities. The specific shade has been carefully defined by Duke University over the years using Pantone, CMYK, and RGB color codes. Duke Blue represents the school and its athletes across campus, merchandise, media, and culture. This well-protected blue shade proudly stands for Duke spirit and tradition.