Blue grey is a popular color used in web design, graphic design, interior design, and more. It combines the calming effect of blue with the sophisticated look of grey. Blue grey gets its name from having hints of blue mixed into a grey base color. This results in a soft, cool, and tranquil hue that works well in a variety of contexts. When looking for the specific blue grey color you want, it’s helpful to know the palette code associated with different shades. This refers to the hex code, RGB values, or other color model codes that precisely define a color in digital or print design work. Here’s an overview of the different palette codes used for blue grey colors.
HEX Codes
HEX codes are six-digit codes that represent colors in mixing red, green, and blue light. This is the hexadecimal number system, where each digit runs from 0 to F. Here are some common hex codes used for popular shades of blue grey:
| Blue Grey Shade | Hex Code |
| Lighter blue grey | #B0BEC5 |
| Light blue grey | #90A4AE |
| Medium blue grey | #78909C |
| Dark blue grey | #546E7A |
As you can see, lighter blue greys have hex codes with more B and C digits, which represent higher blue and green values on a scale of 0 to F. As blue grey gets darker, the codes use more 7 and 8 digits, lowering the blue and green brightness. This gives a darker, subtle blue-influenced grey.
RGB Values
The RGB color model stands for mixing red, green, and blue light. This is used for digital screens and devices. RGB values are three numbers ranging from 0 to 255 that indicate how much red, green, and blue compose a color. Some typical RGB values for blue grey are:
| Blue Grey Shade | RGB Values |
| Lighter blue grey | 176, 190, 197 |
| Light blue grey | 144, 164, 174 |
| Medium blue grey | 120, 144, 156 |
| Dark blue grey | 84, 110, 122 |
Lighter blue greys use higher values for green and blue in the RGB code, while darker blue greys have lower green and blue values. The red stays very low, giving that cool blue influence versus warm shades.
CMYK Values
In CMYK color mixing, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink or toner combine to create different hues. The percentages indicate how much of each color is mixed. Some examples of CMYK values for blue grey are:
| Blue Grey Shade | CMYK Values |
| Lighter blue grey | 27, 15, 9, 0 |
| Light blue grey | 42, 30, 24, 4 |
| Medium blue grey | 49, 40, 34, 22 |
| Dark blue grey | 59, 49, 42, 41 |
The cyan percentage stays higher than magenta, giving that blue tone. As the blue grey gets darker, the black value increases for deeper shades.
Pantone Colors
In the Pantone Matching System used for professional printing, several numbered colors represent different blue grey shades:
| Blue Grey Shade | Pantone Number |
| Lighter blue grey | PMS 5415 |
| Light blue grey | PMS 542 |
| Medium blue grey | PMS 5425 |
| Dark blue grey | PMS 5445 |
Usually, the higher the number, the darker the blue grey tone. Brands like Pantone color standards since they ensure consistent printing results across different vendors and materials.
Finding the Right Blue Grey
With all these different color codes and systems, finding your ideal blue grey can still take some finesse. Here are some tips:
– View blue grey swatches online to get an idea of shades and tones. Sites like Pantone and Adobe Color provide helpful visuals.
– Look for blue greys with the right undertone. Some lean slightly green, purple, brown or have a chalky appearance. Sample different codes to find an attractive undertone.
– Test blue grey colors in your actual design files and on physical materials when possible. Colors can look different on screen versus print.
– Use blue grey in context and check accessibility. Dark blue greys may not work well for text, while light shades could get washed out in certain designs.
– Consider nearby colors and use a split complement, triad, or tetrad palette with blues, greens, purples, and neutrals. Blue grey often coordinates well with similar hues.
– Save your favorite blue grey color codes for easy access. Many apps and design programs let you save custom swatches.
Following these steps will help you successfully implement different blue grey tints and shades in your projects across digital, print, environmental, product, and other design mediums. Choosing the right palette codes provides that soft cool blue grey you envision.
Conclusion
In summary, blue grey color codes span systems like hex, RGB, CMYK, and Pantone. Lighter blue greys use higher blue and green values, while darker shades increase black and reduce blue brightness. Look for an attractive undertone and test colors in your actual applications. Use blue grey thoughtfully with other complementary hues. Saving color codes also helps maintain consistency across projects and mediums. With the wide range of blue greys available, you can find just the right subtle, tranquil shade for your needs.
