Facebook’s brand color is one of the most recognizable in the social media landscape. The specific shade of blue that Facebook uses for its logo and interface is Pantone 2744 C. This bright, saturated blue evokes feelings of friendliness, openness and connectivity – all characteristics that Facebook aims to embody with its social platform.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history behind Facebook’s signature blue hue. We’ll examine how the color was originally chosen and the ways it has evolved over time. Additionally, we’ll discuss the psychology behind the color blue and why Facebook likely selected this shade to represent its brand. Finally, we’ll provide the exact Pantone number and RGB and hex color codes, so you can incorporate Facebook blue into your own designs and marketing materials.
The Origins of Facebook Blue
Facebook’s color palette has changed slightly over the years, but blue has always been at the core of its visual identity. When Facebook launched in 2004, the very first version of the site used a deeper blue color for the header bar at the top of the page. This original blue was somewhat darker than the current Pantone 2744 C shade.
In 2008, Facebook underwent a major redesign and landed on the now-iconic, brighter blue color for its logo and interface. According to the company, the new blue was chosen to represent the idea of making the world more open and connected. With this optimistic perspective in mind, Facebook selected a vibrant, friendly shade of blue to convey openness, honesty and communication.
This particular blue hue has a number of positive brand associations. Bright blues are linked to feelings of trust, security and dependability. Lighter blues are also considered peaceful, calming and loyal. Facebook likely chose blue over other colors because studies show that people tend to prefer blue above all other hues. There’s even research suggesting that blue can boost workplace productivity. All of these factors made blue the optimal choice for Facebook’s brand color.
The Psychology of the Color Blue
Colors can evoke powerful psychological and emotional responses, so companies invest a great deal of time and thought into choosing brand colors that align with their mission and values. Facebook’s selection of Pantone 2744 C blue is no exception. Here’s an overview of the psychology behind this shade of blue:
- Trustworthiness – Blue is associated with honesty, security and responsibility. Facebook wants users to trust the platform with their personal information.
- Openness – Bright, light blues evoke feelings of openness, clarity, and fluidity. This reflects Facebook’s mission to create transparency and openness.
- Connectivity – Blue creates a sense of harmony and encourages communication. This parallels Facebook’s goal of connecting people.
- Approachability – Vibrant blues like Facebook’s are energetic but not overpowering. The color is inviting without being demanding.
- Dependability – Studies consistently show that the color blue is associated with trust, credibility and dependability.
- Peacefulness – Blue has a calming, tranquil effect. Facebook aims to create a peaceful, friendly community.
Facebook’s particular shade of blue checks all the right boxes. It manages to be energetic but not overwhelming, friendly but also professional. The color sets the perfect tone for Facebook’s mission of openness and global community building.
Facebook’s Official Color Codes
Over 1 billion people around the world interact with Facebook’s signature blue color every day. But what are the exact codes needed to match Facebook’s blue?
Here are the official color specifications for Facebook blue:
- Pantone: Pantone 2744 C
- Hex: #3b5998
- RGB: R: 59, G: 89, B: 152
- CMYK: C: 100, M: 65, Y: 0, K: 40
These are the key codes and values needed to precisely match the blue color used across Facebook’s online and print materials. The Pantone code is especially important for professional designers who require spot colors for logos and branding. For digital designers, the hex and RGB codes will be the most convenient to work with.
To demonstrate how these color codes translate into the exact Facebook blue shade, here are some visual examples:
| Pantone 2744 C | Hex #3b5998 | RGB (59, 89, 152) |
|---|---|---|
As you can see, specifying Facebook’s blue color is as simple as referring to one of these basic color code formats. This makes it easy for designers and marketers to integrate Facebook blue into their own projects and promotions.
Uses of Facebook Blue
Facebook blue is one of the most instantly recognizable brand colors in the world. Here are some of the key places you’ll see Facebook’s signature blue hue:
- Logo – The Facebook logo icon features the company name in white against a blue background.
- Website & App – Icons, buttons, headers and other interface elements on Facebook.com and in the mobile apps use Facebook blue.
- Marketing Materials – Facebook’s official print and digital marketing materials incorporate the blue brand color.
- Promotional Products – Sponsored events, contests, merchandise and other Facebook promotions heavily feature Facebook blue.
- “f” Logo – The standalone lowercase Facebook “f” logo is displayed in white on Facebook’s blue background.
- Company Signage – Signs and building exteriors at Facebook’s corporate headquarters are blue.
- Company Vehicles – The exterior colors of Facebook’s signature shuttle buses are white and blue.
Wherever the Facebook name is displayed for branding purposes, you’ll likely see their custom shade of blue incorporated. This includes both digital properties and real-world applications. The color is crucial for maintaining brand consistency across Facebook’s diverse set of touchpoints.
Evolving Alongside the Brand
While Facebook has maintained its association with the color blue throughout its history, the company has evolved the specific shades along the way.
In 2010, Facebook introduced a slightly darker blue dubbed “Facebook Blue.” Then in 2012, they rolled out an even darker blue dubbed “Dark Facebook Blue.” And in 2019, the company unveiled a vibrant new blue called “FB5” to coincide with big changes to the Facebook app.
Here’s a visual history of how Facebook’s blues have changed over time:
| 2004 | 2008 | 2010 | 2012 | 2019 (current) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
While they’ve adjusted the shade, saturation and lightness of blue over time, Facebook has kept blue as its core color from the very start. The ongoing evolution of their blue simply reflects shifts in the brand’s persona and priorities.
Conclusion
Facebook’s distinctive blue brand color is one of the most recognizable in the digital world. The friendly, vibrant Pantone 2744 C blue represents Facebook’s mission to build openness, transparency and global human connection.
This shade of blue evokes feelings of trust, clarity, calmness and dependability. These brand associations have made blue the ideal color choice for Facebook since the company’s founding in 2004.
Understanding the symbolism and psychology behind Facebook’s blue provides insight into the brand’s ethos. Knowing the exact Pantone, RGB, hex and CMYK color codes also makes it easy for designers to incorporate Facebook blue into their own creative work.
While the specific shade has evolved slightly over time, blue remains the core color of Facebook’s visual identity. The next time you see a pop of Facebook’s signature blue, you’ll understand the thought and strategy that went into selecting this iconic brand color.
