Pantone Color of the Year
Every year since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute names a Color of the Year. The 2026 color is Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201), after Mocha Mousse in 2025. Here is the full list with approximate screen colors, how readable each one is with text, and palettes built around recent picks.
2026: Cloud Dancer
Cloud Dancer, PANTONE 11-4201, is a soft, slightly warm white. It is a quiet base color rather than a statement accent, which makes it easy to use for backgrounds, walls and packaging. On screen it is close to #F0EEE9, so it needs dark text: black on it reaches a contrast ratio of 18.1 to 1.
Pair it with warm grays, clay or terracotta, sage, and a near-black for type. See colors that go with white for more pairings, or open the palette below in the generator.
Every Pantone Color of the Year
| Year | Color | Pantone code | Approximate hex | Best text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cloud Dancer | 11-4201 | #F0EEE9 | Black (18.1:1) |
| 2025 | Mocha Mousse | 17-1230 | #A47864 | Black (5.4:1) |
| 2024 | Peach Fuzz | 13-1023 | #FFBE98 | Black (13.1:1) |
| 2023 | Viva Magenta | 18-1750 | #BB2649 | White (6.0:1) |
| 2022 | Very Peri | 17-3938 | #6667AB | White (5.1:1) |
| 2021 | Illuminating | 13-0647 | #F5DF4D | Black (15.5:1) |
| 2021 | Ultimate Gray | 17-5104 | #939597 | Black (7.0:1) |
| 2020 | Classic Blue | 19-4052 | #0F4C81 | White (8.9:1) |
| 2019 | Living Coral | 16-1546 | #FF6F61 | Black (7.7:1) |
| 2018 | Ultra Violet | 18-3838 | #5F4B8B | White (7.3:1) |
| 2017 | Greenery | 15-0343 | #88B04B | Black (8.4:1) |
| 2016 | Serenity | 15-3919 | #92A8D1 | Black (8.7:1) |
| 2016 | Rose Quartz | 13-1520 | #F7CAC9 | Black (14.2:1) |
| 2015 | Marsala | 18-1438 | #955251 | White (5.8:1) |
| 2014 | Radiant Orchid | 18-3224 | #B163A3 | Black (5.2:1) |
| 2013 | Emerald | 17-5641 | #009473 | Black (5.5:1) |
| 2012 | Tangerine Tango | 17-1463 | #DD4124 | Black (4.9:1) |
| 2011 | Honeysuckle | 18-2120 | #D94F70 | Black (5.3:1) |
| 2010 | Turquoise | 15-5519 | #45B5AA | Black (8.4:1) |
| 2009 | Mimosa | 14-0848 | #F0C05A | Black (12.4:1) |
| 2008 | Blue Iris | 18-3943 | #5A5B9F | White (6.1:1) |
| 2007 | Chili Pepper | 19-1557 | #9B1B30 | White (8.1:1) |
| 2006 | Sand Dollar | 13-1106 | #DECDBE | Black (13.6:1) |
| 2005 | Blue Turquoise | 15-5217 | #53B0AE | Black (8.2:1) |
| 2004 | Tigerlily | 17-1456 | #E2583E | Black (5.7:1) |
| 2003 | Aqua Sky | 14-4811 | #7BC4C4 | Black (10.5:1) |
| 2002 | True Red | 19-1664 | #BF1932 | White (6.2:1) |
| 2001 | Fuchsia Rose | 17-2031 | #C74375 | White (4.7:1) |
| 2000 | Cerulean | 15-4020 | #9BB7D4 | Black (10.1:1) |
Two years named a pair: 2016 chose Rose Quartz and Serenity, a pink and a blue, and 2021 chose Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a gray and a yellow. The "Best text" column shows whether black or white text reads better on each color and its contrast ratio; 4.5:1 or more passes WCAG AA for body text.
Palettes with recent Colors of the Year
- Cloud Dancer, 2026A soft white with warm grays, a clay accent and deep ink for text.
- Mocha Mousse, 2025Warm brown with cream, caramel, sage and espresso.
- Peach Fuzz, 2024Soft peach with blush, cream, terracotta and slate blue.
- Viva Magenta, 2023Crimson magenta with blush pink, ivory, plum and charcoal.
- Very Peri, 2022Periwinkle with lavender mist, coral, navy and white.
- Classic Blue, 2020Deep blue with sky, sand, warm gold and white.
Each palette opens in the generator, where you can lock the Color of the Year, change the others, check contrast and export the palette as CSS, Tailwind or an ASE file for Adobe apps.
How the color is chosen
Pantone says the Color of the Year reflects what is happening in culture: the mood, attitudes and trends of the moment. Accounts of the process describe representatives of color standards groups meeting privately to debate candidates before the choice for the following year is made. The color is usually announced in early December, which is when searches for it peak.
The choice shapes fashion, interiors, packaging and branding for the year, but it is a trend signal, not a rule. A good palette still depends on contrast, context and the colors around it, which you can test in the palette visualizer.
About the hex codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pantone Color of the Year 2026?
Cloud Dancer, PANTONE 11-4201, a soft, slightly warm white. On screen it is close to #F0EEE9.
What was the Pantone Color of the Year 2025?
Mocha Mousse, PANTONE 17-1230, a warm brown. On screen it is close to #A47864.
When is the Pantone Color of the Year announced?
Usually in early December, for the following year.
What was the first Pantone Color of the Year?
Cerulean, PANTONE 15-4020, chosen for the year 2000.
Are these the official Pantone hex codes?
No. They are approximate screen colors for inspiration. Pantone colors are defined by physical standards, so match against a Pantone guide for print.