Magenta Color: HEX Code, RGB and Meaning
Magenta is an intense purplish pink made of red and blue light with no green.
HEX is one common value Last updated:
#FF00FFrgb(255, 0, 255)hsl(300, 100%, 50%)cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 0%)Color definitions vary by source. The HEX above is one common value for "magenta" from the open color-name-list dataset, not an official standard. CMYK is a simple conversion; printed results depend on ink and paper.
What magenta means
Magenta is bold and unapologetic. It combines the energy of red with the imagination of purple, so it feels creative, expressive and slightly rebellious.
It has a technical identity too: magenta is one of the three primary inks in printing, alongside cyan and yellow. It does not occur as a single wavelength of light, which is part of its unusual character.
Tints and shades of magenta
Lighter tints are made by mixing with white and darker shades by mixing with black. Click a swatch to copy its HEX.
Magenta color palettes
Complementary
Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel: the strongest contrast.
Analogous
Three neighbors on the wheel: a smooth, low-contrast scheme.
Triadic
Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel: lively but balanced.
Colors that go with magenta
- Black (#000000): Dramatic and graphic.
- Light Grey (#D8DCD6): Calms its intensity.
- Lime (#AAFF32): Its energetic opposite.
- Navy Blue (#000080): Deepens and steadies it.
Similar named colors
Where magenta is used
- Fashion. Magenta is a statement color for dresses, scarves and shoes. It looks striking in small doses against black, navy or gray.
- Interiors. A magenta chair, cushion or artwork gives a room a jolt of personality. Whole walls in this shade are intense.
- Branding. Creative, telecom and entertainment brands use magenta to be seen and remembered.
Magenta vs hot pink
Hot pink leans toward red and looks a bit warmer; magenta is more purple and cooler. Both are vivid.
The magenta shown here is the screen version at full strength, which is more intense than most inks or fabrics can match.
Frequently asked questions
What color is magenta?
A vivid purplish pink or reddish purple.
What two colors make magenta?
On screens, red and blue light. In painting, magenta is itself used as a primary.
Is magenta pink or purple?
Both. It sits between them.
What goes with magenta?
Black, gray, navy and lime green.