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Pantone Color of the Year | Palettes + Mood Boards | Ultimate List

LAST UPDATED: January, 2026
FILED UNDER: Brand Strategy and Design

Pantone Colors of the Year 2004-2026
Reading Time: 11 minutes

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

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