The American flag is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Its red, white and blue colors evoke a sense of patriotism and national pride for citizens of the United States. But what are the exact colors that make up the American flag? Getting the colors right is important for properly reproducing and displaying the flag. In this article, we’ll examine the history behind the flag’s symbolic colors and look at the specific shades and pigment formulations used in its official design.
History of the American Flag’s Colors
The colors of the American flag were chosen purposefully based on symbolism. Red, white and blue were selected to represent the values and history of the American Revolution and to differentiate the new American flag from the British flag.
Here is a brief overview of the meaning behind each color:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Valor, bravery, and bloodshed from those who fought for American independence |
| White | Purity and innocence of the early American cause |
| Blue | Vigilance, perseverance, and justice |
The red, white and blue colors first appeared together on an American flag in 1777, based on the design for a flag by Francis Hopkinson that had 13 alternating red and white stripes with a blue canton containing 13 stars. This became known as the Betsy Ross flag. Over the years, the design evolved as more states joined the union, but the patriotic symbolism of the red, white and blue colors remained constant.
Modern Specifications for the Flag’s Colors
Today, there are precise specifications for the colors used on American flags. The color shades are formally defined by the Color Association of the United States (CAUS) and encoded by the Pantone Matching System. The relevant Pantone colors are designated as follows:
| Color | Pantone Number |
|---|---|
| Red | PMS 193 C |
| White | Safe |
| Blue | PMS 282 C |
PMS 193 C is a deep, rich shade of red. It represents the blood sacrified by American patriots in the Revolutionary War. PMS 282 C is a medium blue tone. It calls to mind the blanket of justice and perseverance covering the nation.
The white sections of the flag are not associated with a specific Pantone number. They are meant to be the natural white color of the fabric itself. This represents the purity of purpose that defined America’s early ideals.
Breakdown of the Flag’s Color Shades
To understand the precise colors of the flag, let’s look at the specific hex color codes associated with the red, white and blue Pantone shades:
PMS 193 C (red)
| Color Value | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Red | #C8102E |
| Green | #231F20 |
| Blue | #332043 |
As the hex values show, PMS 193 C is a vivid, saturated red with subtle undertones of black and blue. This gives it a rich, dimensional quality fitting for symbolizing the bloodiness and valor of war.
PMS 282 C (blue)
| Color Value | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Red | #002C77 |
| Green | #2944BD |
| Blue | #8FAADC |
PMS 282 C contains strong blue tones mixed with soft tints of green and red. This creates a stable, calming blue that evokes justice and vigilance.
White
| Color Value | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Red | #FFFFFF |
| Green | #FFFFFF |
| Blue | #FFFFFF |
The white portions of the flag are intended to be pure clean white, represented by equal intensities of red, green and blue light. This projects innocence and purity.
Official Fabric Specifications
In addition to the Pantone colors, there are official specifications for the fabrics used to make American flags. According to the United States Code, all American flags should be made with durable woven nylon or polyester fabric. This ensures the colors will remain bright and vivid even after exposure to harsh weather.
Flags flown continuously outdoors should be made from heavyweight nylon with a denier of 1000 x 1000 or polyester with a denier of 1000 x 600. This dense, durable fabric prevents wear and fading over time. Flags meant for periodic outdoor use or indoor display can be midweight with a nylon denier of 450 x 450 or a polyester denier of 600 x 300.
Alternative Official Versions
While PMS 193 C, white and PMS 282 C are the standard colors for the American flag, there are a few alternative official versions that use different shades:
| Flag Version | Colors |
|---|---|
| U.S. Army Flag | PMS 193 C (red), PMS 279 C (blue), white |
| U.S. Marine Corps Flag | PMS 193 C (red), PMS 280 C (blue), white |
| U.S. Coast Guard Flag | PMS 193 C (red), PMS 307 C (blue), white |
| POW/MIA Flag | Black, white, red |
These military branch flags integrate darker shades of blue that diverge from the standard PMS 282 C. However, the red PMS 193 C shade remains consistent. The POW/MIA flag also replaces blue with black to convey a more somber tone.
How Lighting Affects Flag Colors
The way an American flag is illuminated can affect the way its colors are perceived. Different light sources have their own color biases that can subtly alter the shades of red, white and blue reflected by the flag fabric.
Under daylight or full spectrum artificial lights that provide natural color rendering, the flag’s colors will appear truest to their intended Pantone shades. But under some common biased lighting conditions, the colors may skew as follows:
| Light Source | Color Bias |
|---|---|
| Fluorescent lighting | Red muting, white tinting |
| Incandescent lighting | Red and blue muting, yellow tinting |
| LED lighting | Red enhancement, blue muting |
Proper flag illumination seeks to limit these biases and prevent distortion of the symbolic colors. Care should be taken to ensure the flag’s colors are rendered faithfully whenever it is on display.
Displaying the Flag Accurately
Because the American flag’s colors are so iconic and meaningful, it’s important to ensure they are reproduced accurately whenever the flag is printed, hoisted or displayed. Here are some guidelines for accurate presentation:
– Use the official Pantone colors for any printed or digital renderings of the flag. Avoid tinting or altering the colors.
– Illuminate the flag evenly under full spectrum light sources to prevent color distortion from lighting biases.
– Choose high-quality heavyweight nylon or polyester flag fabrics that provide bright, fade-resistant colors.
– Replace flags once they become faded or degrade to the point where true color representation is lost.
– Keep flags clean and free of dirt or stains that can dull or distort the colors.
Adhering to official color specifications, quality fabrication and proper lighting ensures the American flag can continue to proudly symbolize the nation’s ideals for generations to come. When displayed accurately, its iconic red, white and blue colors evoke an immediate sense of patriotic connection with America’s values and history.
Conclusion
The American flag’s colors are deep with symbolism and meaning. But beyond the symbolism, there are specific color shades and fabric standards that define the flag’s official design. The red stripes should be rendered in vivid PMS 193 C, a deep red containing undertones of black and blue. The white stripes must remain pure clean white for integrity. And the canton’s blue field should be colored using rich PMS 282 C blue, with its patriotic mix of blue, green and red hues. Following these color specifications and selecting high-quality durable fabrics allows the flag to be displayed properly with bright enduring colors that inspire pride and patriotism. When reproduced accurately, the flag’s iconic red, white and blue design continues to evoke the qualities of valor, purity and justice first ascribed to it at America’s founding.