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What is the hex color for Google buttons?
Google is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, known for its simple, clean design aesthetic. A key part of Google’s visual identity is its use of color, particularly the distinct shades of blue, red, yellow and green that make up its logo and are used across its products and services. But what are the specific hex color codes behind these colors, especially for the buttons and icons found on Google’s popular search engine and other apps?
A Brief History of Google’s Color Scheme
Google’s color palette has evolved over the years, but the hues have remained within a consistent range. The original Google logo designed in 1998 mainly used the colors blue, red, and yellow. According to the designers, the colors were chosen to represent the availability of information on the web (blue), the active nature of searching (red), and the joy of finding what you need (yellow).
In 2013, Google introduced a new flat, minimalist logo that eliminated shadows. This logo iteration introduced a brighter blue, red, green and yellow. The green was added to reflect Google’s evolution towards more diverse services beyond only search.
Over the next few years, Google rolled out updated branding and interfaces that tweaked the colors slightly while keeping them within the same general hues. Currently, Google’s primary product logos use the following hex codes:
– Blue: #4285F4
– Red: #EA4335
– Yellow: #FBBC05
– Green: #34A853
Google Button Color Hex Codes
The specific shades used for Google’s buttons and icons are slightly different from the colors in its logos. Interface elements tend to use less saturated versions of the main brand colors to maintain usability across different screens, lighting conditions and accessibility needs.
Here are some of the most commonly used hex codes for Google product buttons:
| Element | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Search buttons | #1a73e8 |
| Sign-in buttons | #1a73e8 |
| Google Assistant buttons | #1a73e8 |
| Play buttons | #1a73e8 |
| Add buttons | #1a73e8 |
| Menu and notification icons | #5f6368 |
As you can see, many Google interface elements share the same blue shade of #1a73e8, including search, sign-in and other action buttons. This makes for a consistent experience across products.
For inactive menu and notification icons, Google uses a cool gray shade of #5f6368 to differentiate those elements until they are tapped.
History of #1a73e8 Blue in Google Products
Google’s interfaces haven’t always used the exact same blue for buttons and icons. Here’s a look back at how Google’s “action color blue” has evolved over the past decade:
– 2010: #16A0D3
– 2014: #4285F4
– 2016: #4285F4
– 2018: #1A73E8
In 2014, Google moved to the same blue #4285F4 used in its logo. By 2018, Google began shifting toward the slightly darker #1A73E8 blue for interface elements.
#4285F4 is still used for some branding, but #1A73E8 is now the universal action blue across most Google products.
Using Google Blue in Web and App Design
The distinctive Google blue is both functional for interface design and also evokes the Google brand. Designers looking to emulate clean, simple Google aesthetics can easily incorporate this blue into their own projects.
However, don’t just copy #1a73e8 directly. Here are some tips for working with Google blue:
– Use it sparingly as an accent color for interactive elements.
– Try slightly lighter or darker shades. Straight #1a73e8 may be overpowering.
– Make sure it meets minimum color contrast standards, especially with white text.
– Test on different screens to ensure accessibility.
– Pair with neutral grays, textured backgrounds, and white space.
– Compliment with your own brand’s colors.
Other Notable Google Product Colors
Beyond the iconic blue, other colors help distinguish Google’s diverse line of products:
Google Maps: #1967d2 blue with #d1e877 green
YouTube: #ff0000 red with #282828 dark gray
Gmail: #D14836 red with #3c4043 dark gray
Google Drive: #00897B green
Google Calendar: #A79B8E beige
Google Docs/Sheets: #0F9D58 green
Google Chrome: #FFCD40 yellow
Each product gets its own color treatment, while still feeling connected through common grays and white space.
Conclusion
Google’s meticulously designed interfaces rely on color to convey functionality, establish hierarchy, and maintain brand identity. By primarily using the #1a73e8 “action blue” for interactive elements across products, Google creates intuitive consistency for users.
This signature blue is light enough for accessibility, while still providing sufficient contrast. It works well with both light and dark backgrounds. While not every designer may want to adopt Google blue outright, it offers lessons on how to thoughtfully use color to simplify and unify multi-platform products. Analyzing and learning from Google’s carefully refined palette can level up any visual design.
