Lime green is a vibrant, eye-catching shade of green that sits between yellow and green on the color wheel. It has become a popular accent color in web design, graphic design, interior decorating, fashion, sports teams, and more. But what exactly makes up the lime green color? Specifically, what is the RGB code for lime green?
RGB stands for red, green, and blue – the primary colors of light that are combined in different proportions to create all the colors on a computer monitor or television screen. RGB values are generally specified on a scale from 0 (none of that color) to 255 (full brightness of that color). By mixing different levels of red, green, and blue light, millions of distinct colors can be reproduced. So to define a precise shade of lime green in RGB terms, we need to establish the right mix of red, green, and blue values.
The Origins of Lime Green
Before looking at the RGB code for lime green specifically, it helps to understand where lime green falls on the color spectrum. The first recorded use of “lime green” as a color name in English was in 1890. It was one of the original “X11 colors” defined in web development codes in 1987. The name comes from the citrus fruit, the green lime. While limes themselves can vary a bit in color from yellowish to green, lime green is generally considered to fall about midway between yellow and green.
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel used by artists and designers, lime green sits between yellow and green – basically a mix of the two. On the modern RGB color wheel, lime green falls between chartreuse (yellow-green) and spring green (more pure green). So lime green is characterized by having strong components of both yellow and green light.
Standard Lime Green RGB Values
There are a few standard RGB values that are commonly considered to represent lime green:
– RGB(0, 255, 0): This shade of lime green contains no red, full green, and no blue. With only the green component turned on full, this produces a very bright lime green.
– RGB(50, 205, 50): This tone has a bit of red and blue mixed in with the green to mute it slightly compared to full green. The approximately 1:4 ratio of red and blue to green gives a nice lime green.
– RGB(124, 252, 0): With more red but still no blue, this shade is a yellow-tinged lime green. The stronger red component shifts the color towards yellow.
– RGB(127, 255, 0): Very similar to the previous RGB value, this lime green has a slightly stronger red cast while keeping full green.
– RGB(173, 255, 47): Moving toward a greener lime green, this has stronger green component with a moderate red level to retain some vibrancy.
So in summary, standard lime greens tend to have full or near-full green component, moderate to low red component, and little or no blue component. The balance of green and red levels shifts the tone from more yellowish to more greenish limes.
Lime Green RGB Values in Design Software
Many design programs and software suites aimed at digital designers, graphic artists, and web developers contain preset lime green colors based on RGB values. Here are some common variations:
| Software/Platform | Lime Green RGB Value |
| HTML/CSS color keywords | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Windows default colors | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Mac OS default colors | rgb(127, 255, 0) |
| Microsoft Excel color picker | rgb(50, 205, 50) |
As you can see, they closely match the standard values discussed above. The HTML/CSS and Windows color pickers default to the brightest lime green of RGB(0, 255, 0). Apple’s systems default to a slightly more yellow-green lime with RGB(127, 255, 0). Microsoft Excel splits the difference with RGB(50, 205, 50).
Matching Printed Lime Green Colors
RGB color codes define colors as they appear on screens, but print design uses the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model instead of RGB. This means you need to convert RGB colors to CMYK to match a lime green shade when printing.
In general, the following CMYK values yield printed colors very close to the standard lime greens:
| RGB Color | Nearest CMYK Approximation |
| rgb(0, 255, 0) | cmyk(100, 0, 100, 0) |
| rgb(50, 205, 50) | cmyk(80, 0, 80, 0) |
| rgb(124, 252, 0) | cmyk(50, 0, 100, 0) |
| rgb(127, 255, 0) | cmyk(50, 0, 100, 0) |
| rgb(173, 255, 47) | cmyk(30, 0, 90, 0) |
With bright lime greens, relatively high levels of cyan and yellow ink are needed, with very little or no magenta or black ink. The exact ratio can be tweaked based on the RGB color being matched.
There are also many pre-mixed lime green paint colors offered by paint brands designed for home decorating. These paints are rendered in physical pigments rather than RGB or CMYK colors, but many paint brands will provide recommended RGB values to digitally match their lime green paint colors.
Lime Green RGB Values in Popular Software and Apps
Many apps, tools, and utilities aimed at consumers also include preset options for selecting lime green colors by default. Here are some common examples:
| App/Platform | Lime Green RGB Value |
| Microsoft PowerPoint color picker | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Adobe Color Picker | rgb(181, 255, 22) |
| Android Color Picker | rgb(124, 252, 0) |
| Mozilla Firefox Color Picker | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Apple Color Picker | rgb(128, 255, 0) |
Again, most stick pretty close to the bright, yellow-tinged RGB lime green values in the range of RGB(100, 255, 0) to RGB(0, 255, 0).
Searching for Lime Green RGB Codes
If the presets in a design program don’t quite match your vision of the perfect lime green, you can find RGB color codes online by:
– Browsing color encyclopedias and picking a lime green you like visually. Adobe Kuler and ColourLovers are popular color libraries.
– Using an online color code picker tool and adjusting the RGB values until you achieve the desired lime green.
– Taking a photograph of a real-life lime green item and using a color selection tool to sample the RGB values.
– Entering search terms like “lime green color codes”, “lime green RGB values”, “RGB chartreuse” etc.
– Looking through different brands’ logos and color palettes that use lime greens.
– Checking lime green paint swatches from brands like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, etc. Many provide RGB recommendations for matching their paint colors digitally.
Lime Green Complimentary Colors
When using lime green in designs, keep in mind these typical color harmony practices:
– Complementary colors: Reds and purples are classic complements that create vibrant contrast against lime green.
– Split complements: Colors like yellow-orange and blue-purple retain some contrast while being a bit less jarring.
– Triadic colors: Violet and orange triads create energetic color schemes.
– Analogous colors: Softer analogies might include blue, chartreuse, or lime yellow.
Example Uses of Lime Green RGB Color
Here are some real-world examples that use shades of RGB lime green:
– Web design: Lime green makes a bold accent color for call-to-action buttons and highlights.
– Logos: Companies like LimeWire, Lyft, and Sprite have used lime green shades in their branding.
– Sports teams: The Seattle Seahawks, Brisbane Lions, and many more pro, college, and school teams brand with lime greens.
– Interior design: Lime green paint or decor accents pop against white, gray, or black backgrounds.
– Fashion: Lime green is a bold accent color in shoes, handbags, jewelry, and clothing detailing.
– Cars: Vehicles like the Dodge SRT Hellcat or Honda Civic Si have lime green model options.
– Product design: Electronics, kitchenware, furniture, and tools sometimes come in vivid lime hues.
Conclusion
In summary, the RGB code for lime green typically has full or near-full green component, moderate to low red levels, and little or no blue – mixing green and yellow with very little cyan. While there are variations, most lime greens fall in the RGB(0, 255, 0) to RGB(175, 255, 50) range. When printing lime green, around 30-100% cyan and yellow CMYK ink is needed. Lime green is a bold, stimulating color that contrasts well with red, purple, black, white, and gray. It is commonly used for accent colors in technology, marketing, sports, clothing, decor, and more. So next time you’re seeking a vibrant splash of lime, refer to this guide to mix up the perfect RGB lime green code.
