Violet is a color that occupies the end of the visible spectrum, between blue and ultraviolet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 380-450 nanometers. Violet colors are defined by their proximity to ultraviolet light and their mix of red and blue light. There are many light and dark shades of violet that are defined by hexadecimal color codes.
Defining Violet Colors
The perception of the color violet is caused by light in the 380-450 nm wavelength range. Violet is at one end of the visible spectrum, with red at the other end. The human eye sees violet when the cone cells in the eye are stimulated by light containing more blue than red wavelengths.
On the RGB color wheel, violet falls between blue and magenta. It is made by combining red and blue light. On the RYB color wheel, violet is positioned between blue and purple. There, it is made by mixing red and blue colorants.
Violet is sometimes used interchangeably with purple, but in color theory purple refers to colors with more red whereas violet has more blue. Violet colors are lighter, brighter, and more bluish than purple.
Light and Dark Violet Shades
There are many possible light and dark shades of the violet color. Lighter violet shades include lavender, wisteria, lilac, and mauve. These colors have a high amount of white added to the violet hue.
Some examples of light violet colors include:
- Lavender – #E6E6FA
- Wisteria – #C9A0DC
- Lilac – #C8A2C8
- Mauve – #E0B0FF
Darker violet shades have more black added to the color. These deeper violets include patriarch, prune, regimental, and phlox.
Some examples of dark violet colors include:
- Patriarch – #5D3954
- Prune – #701C1C
- Regimental – #580F41
- Phlox – #DF00FF
The lightest shades of violet approach very light tints of lavender, mauve, and lilac. The darkest violets border on true purple and approach black with a violet tinge.
Hexadecimal Violet Color Codes
On the web, violet and other colors are defined using hexadecimal color codes. Hexadecimal or hex color codes are six-digit codes that represent the amount of red, green, and blue in a color.
Hex codes range from 00 to FF for each of the RGB components. 00 represents the minimum amount and FF represents the maximum amount. White is #FFFFFF and black is #000000.
Here are some examples of lighter violet hex codes:
| Lavender Blush | #FFF0F5 |
| Lavender | #E6E6FA |
| Thistle | #D8BFD8 |
| Plum | #DDA0DD |
| Violet | #EE82EE |
And some examples of darker violet hex codes:
| Dark Violet | #9400D3 |
| Dark Orchid | #9932CC |
| Medium Purple | #9370DB |
| Rebecca Purple | #663399 |
| Indigo | #4B0082 |
This wide range demonstrates the many possible light and dark shades of violet that exist.
Finding the Lightest Violet
The lightest possible tint of any color is achieved by mixing a high amount of white with it. For violet, some examples of very light tints include lavender blush (#FFF0F5) and thistle (#D8BFD8).
However, the lightest possible violet color code is #FAE6FA. This code has the maximum amounts of red and blue combined with the highest possible white level.
Here is a comparison of some light violet shades and their hex codes:
| Lavender Blush | #FFF0F5 |
| Thistle | #D8BFD8 |
| Plum | #DDA0DD |
| Lavender | #E6E6FA |
| Lightest Violet | #FAE6FA |
As shown, the lightest violet color code is #FAE6FA. This code represents the highest level of red and blue mixed with the maximum white amount.
Uses of Light Violet Colors
Light violet shades are commonly used for:
- Wedding decorations
- Feminine apparel and accessories
- Floral arrangements
- Candies and desserts
- Spa and beauty products
- Children’s toys and nurseries
Lighter violets evoke a sense of femininity, romance, and nostalgia. Pastel violets are seen as gentle, delicate, and sentimental. Their soft, subdued shades are soothing and relaxing.
Conclusion
The lightest violet color code is #FAE6FA based on color theory principles. This hex code contains the maximum amounts of red and blue combined with the highest level of white. Lighter violet shades are used for many purposes where a soft, delicate, feminine touch is desired.
Understanding violet color codes allows for precise control over the shades and tints of violet used in any design or project. Whether a very light tint or deep dark violet is needed, the hex color system makes achieving the exact desired violet simple and straightforward.
