Teal is a medium blue-green color that derives its name from the common teal bird. Teal falls somewhere between green and blue on the color wheel and has similarities to both. It is one of the more popular tertiary colors and can be quite versatile in its uses and pairings. When determining what teal looks like, it helps to understand its hex code, RGB values, symbolism, uses, and how it compares to other shades.
Defining Teal
Teal has hex code #008080, which means it is composed of 0% red, 50% green, and 50% blue. This equal mixture of stronger green and blue tones is what creates the vibrant blue-green teal color. The name comes from the Eurasian teal bird which displays feathers of a similar blue-green shade.
Some key facts about teal:
| Hex Code | #008080 |
| RGB | R:0 G:128 B:128 |
| CMYK | C:100 M:0 Y:50 K:50 |
| HSB | H:180 S:100 B:50 |
As an even mix of blue and green, teal naturally falls right between the two on the color wheel. It is considered a tertiary color, meaning it is created by combining a primary color (blue) with a secondary color (green). Other characteristics of teal:
– Shade of cyan
– One of the “web colors” used for web design along with blue, green, and others
– A medium brightness color
– Lower saturation than primary or secondary colors
Overall, these specifications help define the vivid blue-green appearance of the teal color.
Teal vs. Similar Colors
It can be helpful to compare teal against similar shades to get a better sense of what makes it unique:
Teal vs. Mint
Mint is lighter and slightly more desaturated version of teal. It skews closer to the green side whereas teal is a more even blue-green blend. Mint is also softer and maybe considered more feminine.
Teal vs. Turquoise
Turquoise contains a little more green than classic teal. It may also be slightly darker or more saturated than mint. The main difference is turquoise leans more green, while teal strikes a 50-50 balance between blue and green.
Teal vs. Aqua
Aqua contains much more blue than teal, which is closer to a 50-50 split. Aqua is a greenish-blue rather than blueish-green. It is also brighter and more saturated than teal.
Teal vs. Cyan
Cyan is the most saturated version of this color family. It is a vivid blue-green that pops more than teal. Teal is more subdued with its equal green and blue mixture.
So in summary, teal differs from similar colors in:
– Equal blue-green blend (unlike mint, turquoise, aqua)
– Medium saturation (less saturated than cyan, more than mint)
– Medium brightness (brighter than turquoise, less than aqua)
This makes teal a nicely balanced, versatile tertiary color.
Uses of the Teal Color
Some of the most common uses and associations for the teal color include:
Design and Decor
-A trendy paint color for accent walls or furniture
-Used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other living spaces
-Goes well with natural colors like tan, gray, brown
-Provides a pop of color against neutrals
Fashion
-Often seen in apparel, handbags, shoes, jewelry
-Looks great combined with neutrals for color blocking
-Alternative to brighter greens or blues
-Gives a uniquely elegant and sleek vibe
Branding
-Used in logos for tech companies, spas, salons, boutiques
-Conveys a balance of Professionalism and vibrancy
-Gender-neutral color appealing to all demographics
-Distinct from overused blues and greens
Web Design
-One of the standard web colors used in interfaces
-Contrasts well against white backgrounds
-Distinct tone compared to pure greens and blues
-Looks sharp and clear on screens
Psychology
-Balance, harmony, equilibrium, steadiness
-Loyalty, resilience, compassion, openness
-Logic, clarity, focus, intelligence, tech
-Idealism, truth, justice, accountability
So whether for decor, fashion, branding, web design, or any other application, teal is a vibrant and versatile tertiary color choice.
Symbolism of Teal
In color psychology and symbolism, teal is often associated with:
– Balance and Stability – Teal’s equal mix of blue and green creates an equilibrium.
– Open Communication – It promotes openness and honest expression.
– Compassion – It cares for humanity and emotional depth.
– Loyalty – It sticks through ups and downs in relationships.
– Intelligence – Associated with knowledge, logic, and focus.
– Sophistication – Having an elegant, exclusive vibe, especially in fashion.
– Relaxation – Evokes the calm of blue tones along with renewal from green.
– Exploration – Having an adventurous, risk-taking spirit.
So despite being lesser-known than primary or secondary colors, teal has its own meaningful symbolism. Its mixture of blue calmness and green growth strikes an ideal balanced color.
How Lighting Affects Teal
The way teal appears can shift slightly based on the lighting conditions. Here’s how it typically looks under different light:
Natural Daylight – Teal appears the most accurate under average daylight conditions. Not too warm or cool.
Cool White Fluorescent – Teal may look slightly more green and less vibrant under this cooler lighting.
Warm Incandescent – The blue tones in teal might look muted under warm incandescent lighting.
LED Lighting – With LEDs being close to daylight, teal generally looks balanced and even as intended.
So for seeing teal’s true blue-green balance, natural or LED lighting is ideal. Fluorescents and incandescents may skew it slightly warmer or cooler. But it generally maintains its signature appearance under most conditions.
How Teal Looks on Different Skin Tones
Teal is a color that can complement a wide range of skin tones when used carefully. Here are some tips:
– Fair skin – Teal’s blue tones work well. Avoid teals with too much green.
– Olive skin – Warmer teals with a little more green pair nicely.
– Medium skin – Balanced teals look great. Not too warm or too cool.
– Darker skin – Teal pops well but avoid shades too light or neon.
– Pink undertones – Lean toward teals with more blue rather than yellow greens.
– Yellow undertones – Greens work better than blues which may look jarring.
The key is looking for teal shades with a flattering warmth or coolness for your skin. A balanced teal between blue and green makes for a versatile color on all complexions. It has enough brightness to stand out without being overwhelming.
Teal Color Palettes
Here are some recommended color palettes using teal as a starting point:
Teal + Neutrals
– Teal, gray, tan, off-white
– Timeless and sophisticated
– Allows teal to stand out
Teal + Earth tones
– Teal, light brown, sand, mossy green
– Warm, natural, and soothing
Teal + Compliments
– Teal, burnt orange, lime green
– Bold, lively color scheme
Teal + Pastels
– Teal, light pink, lavender, mint
– Fresh, feminine, and soft
Teal + Metallics
– Teal, rose gold, silver, gunmetal
– Luxe look for accessories or decor
Teal is endlessly versatile, looking beautiful combined with neutrals, earth tones, bright colors, pastels, metallics, and patterns. It fits well in color schemes aligned with coastal, tropical, boho, modern, rustic, and eclectic aesthetics.
How Lightness Affects Teal
Teal comes in a wide spectrum from light to dark. Here is how its appearance changes:
– Lighter teals have more vibrancy, energy, and brightness. They are bolder statement colors.
– Mid-tone teals offer balance as true blue-green blends. They have medium saturation.
– Darker teals appear more subtle, muted, and sophisticated. The darker they go, the more formal the look.
When decorating or choosing fashion colors, consider if you want your teals to be eye-catching accent shades or neutral basics to mix and match. Light, mid-tone, and dark teals all have their place depending on the desired effect.
Notable Teal Color Names
With many colors formulated over the years, teal has amassed quite a few specific shade names. Here are some of the most popular types of teal:
– Persian Teal – A muted, mid-tone robin’s egg blue hue.
– Teal Blue – Crisp and balanced classic teal, leaning a little greener.
– Dark Teal – Deeper richer teals trending toward green.
– Petrol Teal – Darker teals with a grayish tone.
– Teal Green – Vibrant mid-tones with slight more green.
– Blue Teal – Teals with a touch more blue than green.
– Teal Turquoise – More green and yellow-toned brighter teals.
– Teal Blue Grey – Muted, smokey teals with gray undertones.
With all these variations, “teal” can mean different things to different people. But most teal shades have that identifiable blue-green mixture.
Conclusion
Teal is a tertiary color bringing blue and green together in perfect harmony. Its medium vibrancy strikes an engaging balance suitable for many applications. Teal combines the stability of blue with the growth and renewal of green – great for logos, environmental causes, or anytime you want balanced sophistication. Whether clothing, painting, or web design, teal is sure to catch eyes while maintaining an air of equilibrium and compassion.
