Purple Color: HEX Code, RGB and Meaning
Purple is the color made by combining red and blue, balanced between warm and cool.
HEX is one common value Last updated:
#800080rgb(128, 0, 128)hsl(300, 100%, 25%)cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%)Color definitions vary by source. The HEX above is one common value for "purple" from the open color-name-list dataset, not an official standard. CMYK is a simple conversion; printed results depend on ink and paper.
What purple means
Purple has a reputation for being special. Because it falls between warm red and cool blue it feels both energetic and calm, and it is often linked with imagination, luxury and a touch of mystery.
The shade changes the message. Deep purple feels regal and serious, soft purple feels gentle and dreamy, and a bright, reddish purple feels playful and bold.
Tints and shades of purple
Lighter tints are made by mixing with white and darker shades by mixing with black. Click a swatch to copy its HEX.
Purple 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 purple
- Gold (#FFD700): The classic rich, regal pairing.
- Sage (#87AE73): A calm natural counterpoint.
- Light Grey (#D8DCD6): A restrained, modern base.
- Mustard (#CEB301): A warm complement from the other side of the wheel.
Similar named colors
Where purple is used
- Fashion. Plum and aubergine are rich autumn colors, while soft purples appear in spring knitwear and accessories. Purple is often used as a distinctive alternative to blue or red.
- Interiors. Used lightly, purple adds depth: velvet cushions, an accent chair or a feature wall. Large areas of strong purple can feel heavy.
- Branding. Creative, beauty, education and luxury brands use purple to stand apart from the many blue and red logos. The purple shown here is the standard web purple.
Purple vs violet
Violet is closer to blue and brighter; purple is closer to red and deeper. In this dataset violet is a vivid blue-leaning purple, while purple is a darker magenta-leaning one.
In spectrum terms violet is a pure wavelength of light at the edge of vision, whereas purple is a mixture of red and blue light. In everyday speech the two words overlap a lot.
Frequently asked questions
What two colors make purple?
Mix red and blue. More red gives a warm, magenta-leaning purple; more blue gives a cooler, indigo-leaning one.
What does purple symbolize?
It is commonly tied to creativity, luxury, spirituality and mystery. These are cultural associations rather than universal meanings.
Is purple a warm or cool color?
It can be either. Reddish purples feel warm and bluish purples feel cool.
What goes with purple?
Gold, gray, cream and soft greens work. Yellow gives the strongest contrast.