The Pantone 2026 Color of the Year is… Cloud Dancer!
Unveiling, the excitement of old sock white! Pantone has selected a shade of white for the first time in its history: Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201). Described as a “lofty white neutral” and a “symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society,” this choice is apparently about finding clarity, quiet reflection, and a fresh start in a noisy world.
This conscious statement of simplification encourages focus and creative breath. Whether you see it as a blank canvas, the “landlord special,” or an aspirational symbol for a future free from excess, it’s certainly a statement piece that invites… conversation. If you peek into the comments section of any related social media post, you’ll get a very quick vibe check. IYKYK.
Summary
The newly announced Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201) is celebrated as the 2026 Color of the Year—a soft white hue offering a promise of clarity and serenity, complete with pin-ready images.
This post offers a quick intro to Pantone, key milestones, and links to learn more. It also compiles every Color of the Year from 2000–2026—including the warm Mocha Mousse (2025) and nurturing Peach Fuzz (2024), and bold Viva Magenta (2023)—with palettes and copy-ready HEX/RGB codes to spark creative ideas. Stick around for ways to connect on social and a call to collaborate on your brand strategy.
About Pantone
I won’t get into a ton of detail about who they are, but here’s a little bitty snippet from their website description: PANTONE ® is the Universal Language of Color for Designers, Brands, & Manufacturers. Design, shop, and explore Color of the Year 2026 , trends, and products.
If you’re a curious cat or a connoisseur of color like me, you’ll be happy to dive into their About page and learn more about the company’s history and do a little shopping in their Lifestyle collection (not an affiliate… just obsessed). Anyone else a total nerd and love this stuff? Seriously… if you are, follow me on Instagram and reach out.
A few key milestones
- 1963 | Pantone debuts the “Pantone Matching System” with 500 colors
- 1999 | Pantone announces their first Color of the Year — Cerulean
- Today | You’re reading my post. Pretty cool of you.
Learn more and connect with Pantone on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
Pantone Colors of the Year, from 2000 to 2026
I’ve gathered and curated the ultimate list of Pantone’s methodically chosen colors of the year from the very beginning — along with convenient copy-and-paste color codes, inspiring palettes, and other good stuff! I hope this gets your creative brain gerbils moving!
Cloud Dancer | 2026 Color of the Year



Cloud Dancer Color Codes
Pantone Code
11-4201 TCX
Hex Code
F0EFEA
RGB Code
240 238 233
CMYK Code
0%, 1%, 3%, 6%
Mocha Mousse | 2025 Color of the Year



Mocha Mousse Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-1230 TCX
Hex Code
A47864
RGB Code
164 120 100
CMYK Code
0%, 27%, 39%, 36%
Peach Fuzz | 2024 Color of the Year



Peach Fuzz Color Codes
Pantone Code
13-1023TCX
Hex Code
FFBE98
RGB Code
255 190 152
CMYK Code
0%, 25%, 40%, 0%
Viva Magenta | 2023 Color of the Year



Viva Magenta Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-1750 TCX
Hex Code
BB2649
RGB Code
187 38 73
CMYK Code
0%, 73%, 67%, 25%
Very Peri | 2022 Pantone Color of the Year



Very Peri Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-3938 TCX
Hex Code
6667AB
RGB Code
102 103 171
CMYK Code
59%, 56%, 0%, 3%
Illuminating | 2021 Pantone Color of the Year



Illuminating Color Codes
Pantone Code
13-0647 TCX
Hex Code
F5DF4D
RGB Code
245 223 77
CMYK Code
4%, 7%, 87%, 0%
Ultimate Gray | 2021 Pantone Color of the Year



Ultimate Gray Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-5104 TCX
Hex Code
939597
RGB Code
147 149 151
CMYK Code
43%, 38%, 27%, 1%
Classic Blue | 2020 Pantone Color of the Year



Classic Blue Color Codes
Pantone Code
19-4052 TCX
Hex Code
0F4C81
RGB Code
15 76 129
CMYK Code
100%, 84%, 12%, 36%
Living Coral | 2019 Pantone Color of the Year



Living Coral Color Codes
Pantone Code
16-1546 TCX
Hex Code
FF6F61
RGB Code
255 111 97
CMYK Code
0%, 77%, 72%, 0%
Ultra Violet | 2018 Pantone Color of the Year



Ultra Violet Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-3838 TCX
Hex Code
5F4B8B
RGB Code
95 75 139
CMYK Code
76%, 75%, 0%, 0%
Greenery | 2017 Pantone Color of the Year



Greenery Color Codes
Pantone Code
15-0343 TCX
Hex Code
88B04B
RGB Code
136 176 75
CMYK Code
53%, 13%, 92%, 1%
Rose Quartz | 2016 Pantone Color of the Year



Rose Quartz Color Codes
Pantone Code
13-1520 TCX
Hex Code
F7CACA
RGB Code
247 202 202
CMYK Code
1%, 24%, 15%, 0%
Serenity | 2016 Pantone Color of the Year



Serenity Color Codes
Pantone Code
15-3919 TCX
Hex Code
93A9D1
RGB Code
147 169 209
CMYK Code
42%, 24%, 3%, 0%
Marsala | 2015 Pantone Color of the Year



Marsala Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-1438 TCX
Hex Code
964F4C
RGB Code
150 79 76
CMYK Code
33%, 73%, 61%, 19%
Radiant Orchid | 2014 Pantone Color of the Year



Radiant Orchid Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-3224 TCX
Hex Code
AD5E99
RGB Code
173 94 153
CMYK Code
33%, 72%, 0%, 0%
Emerald | 2013 Pantone Color of the Year



Emerald Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-5641 TCX
Hex Code
009473
RGB Code
0 148 115
CMYK Code
81%, 15%, 67%, 1%
Tangerine Tango | 2012 Pantone Color of the Year



Tangerine Tango Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-1463 TCX
Hex Code
DD4124
RGB Code
221 65 36
CMYK Code
0%, 82%, 78%, 0%
Honeysuckle | 2011 Pantone Color of the Year



Honeysuckle Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-2120 TCX
Hex Code
D94F70
RGB Code
217 79 112
CMYK Code
10%, 84%, 39%, 0%
Turquoise | 2010 Pantone Color of the Year



Turquoise Color Codes
Pantone Code
15-5519 TCX
Hex Code
45B5AA
RGB Code
69 181 170
CMYK Code
69%, 4%, 39%, 0%
Mimosa | 2009 Pantone Color of the Year



Mimosa Color Codes
Pantone Code
14-0848 TCX
Hex Code
F0C05A
RGB Code
240 192 90
CMYK Code
6%, 25%, 77%, 0%
Blue Iris | 2008 Pantone Color of the Year



Blue Iris Color Codes
Pantone Code
18-3943 TCX
Hex Code
5A5B9F
RGB Code
90 91 159
CMYK Code
76%, 71%, 5%, 0%
Chili Pepper | 2007 Pantone Color of the Year



Chili Pepper Color Codes
Pantone Code
19-1557 TCX
Hex Code
9B1B30
RGB Code
155 27 48
CMYK Code
25%, 100%, 79%, 22%
Sand Dollar | 2006 Pantone Color of the Year



Sand Dollar Color Codes
Pantone Code
13-1106 TCX
Hex Code
DECDBE
RGB Code
222 205 190
CMYK Code
0%, 8%, 14%, 13%
Blue Turquoise | 2005 Pantone Color of the Year



Blue Turquoise Color Codes
Pantone Code
15-5217 TCX
Hex Code
53B0AE
RGB Code
83 176 174
CMYK Code
67%, 10%, 35%, 0%
Tigerlily | 2004 Pantone Color of the Year



Tigerlily Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-1456 TCX
Hex Code
E2583E
RGB Code
226 88 62
CMYK Code
5%, 80%, 82%, 1%
Aqua Sky | 2003 Pantone Color of the Year



Aqua Sky Color Codes
Pantone Code
14-4811 TCX
Hex Code
7BC4C4
RGB Code
123 196 196
CMYK Code
37%, 0%, 0%, 23%
True Red | 2002 Pantone Color of the Year



True Red Color Codes
Pantone Code
19-1664 TCX
Hex Code
BF1932
RGB Code
191 25 50
CMYK Code
17%, 99%, 85%, 7%
Fuchsia Rose | 2001 Pantone Color of the Year



Fuchsia Rose Color Codes
Pantone Code
17-2031 TCX
Hex Code
C74375
RGB Code
199 67 117
CMYK Code
19%, 88%, 31%, 1%
Cerulean | 2000 Pantone Color of the Year



Cerulean Color Codes
Pantone Code
15-4020 TCX
Hex Code
9BB7D4
RGB Code
155 183 212
CMYK Code
28%, 15%, 0%, 17%
FAQs
What is the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year and its color codes?
The 2023 Color of the Year is Viva Magenta (Pantone 18-1750 TCX). Its Hex code is BB2649 and its RGB values are 187 38 73. The post also includes split complementary and analogous palettes plus pin-ready images.
What is Pantone, and where can I learn more about them?
Pantone is the “Universal Language of Color for Designers, Brands, & Manufacturers.” You can learn more on Pantone’s About page and browse their Lifestyle collection. The post also links to Pantone on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
When did Pantone start the Color of the Year, and what was the first one?
Pantone announced its first Color of the Year in 1999—Cerulean. This post compiles Colors of the Year from 2000–2023 (including Cerulean), with palettes and copy-ready HEX/RGB codes.
What exactly is included for each Color of the Year in this post?
Each year’s color entry provides the Pantone code (TCX), a Hex code, RGB values, and two ready-to-use palettes: split complementary and analogous. Years with dual selections (like 2016 and 2021) include both colors with full details.
How can I engage or collaborate after reading this?
You’re invited to pin any of the images to Pinterest, follow the author on Instagram (@emiliesteinmann), and reach out to collaborate on brand strategy via the contact link provided in the post.
Want to work together to curate your perfect brand strategy and aesthetic?
Let’s chat! Send me a message and we can hop on a call to go over your big vision!
Emilie Steinmann
Showit Design Partner, Squarespace Circle Gold Member
Hubspot Certified in: SEO, Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing

