All the Pantone Colors of the Year

Since 1999, the Pantone Color Institute has made its selection for the Color of the Year. Some hues have been selected for their abilities to reflect current times, others as a way to influence trends, while others have been a way to simply put some positive vibes in the air.

"To arrive at the selection each year, our team of global color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences," says Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute via the company's official website.

"This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, aspirational travel destinations, new lifestyles, play styles, or enjoyable escapes, as well as socio-economic conditions."

She continues, "Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms, and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention."

From Cerulean to Peach Fuzz, check out all of Pantone's selections for Color of the Year from the last 24 years!

2024: Peach Fuzz

For 2024, Pantone went with a calming, warm and welcoming hue reflecting "our desire to want to be close to those we love and the joy we get when allowing ourselves to tune into who we are and just savor a moment of quiet time alone," per Pressman.

2023: Viva Magenta

Nothing exudes energy, "vim" and "vigor" quite like Viva Magenta, Pantone's color of the year for 2023. The bright hue was selected in large part because it "revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint," Pantone wrote.

2022: Very Peri

Pantone made history when they selected a newly created hue as part of their annual forecast. Very Peri is a blend of blues combined with a violet-red undertone that produces a periwinkle shade.

2021: Ultimate Gray & Illuminating

For the second time in history, Pantone went with two colors for their annual selection: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. While Illuminating is a vibrant and bold yellow, Ultimate Gray is demure and understated, but still complimentary to its livelier half — thus showing how two opposites can harmoniously work together.

2020: Classic Blue

For 2020, Pantone chose Classic Blue, a cool, yet powerful hue. "Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge," they wrote.

2019: Living Coral

Bright and inviting but not overbearing, it's easy to see how Living Coral was a great choice for 2019.

2018: Ultra Violet

Provocative, intriguing and enigmatic are some words one might use to describe this deep purple hue, favored by the likes of Prince, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.

2017: Greenery

Exuding freshness, revitalization and new life, this yellow-green shade "evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew."

2016: Rose Quartz & Serenity

For the first time in the history of Pantone's Color of the Year, the Institute chose two colors for 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity. Both calming tones, the colors combined bring a sense of welcome, gentleness and poise.

2015: Marsala

Earthy, rich, sultry and subtle, Marsala's versatility made it an easy pick for Color of the Year 2015.

2014: Radiant Orchid

Much like the flower it derives its name from, Radiant Orchid is reminiscent of nature, elegance, tranquility and confidence.

2013: Emerald

Exuding opulence and luxury, Emerald is the "color of growth, renewal and prosperity."

2012: Tangerine Tango

A nod to the bold, free-spirited and strong-willed among us, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012 was Tangerine Tango.

2011: Honeysuckle

"Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor," Pantone wrote of their 2011 Color of the Year. This shade of pink is ever-present, often seen in women's accessories and cosmetics, as well as men's apparel and sportswear.

2010: Turquoise

Reminiscent of your favorite beach destination, this eye-catching shade combines "the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green."

2009: Mimosa

Sunny, warm and serene, Mimosa reflected the spirit of hope and optimism at a time when things seemed uncertain.

2008: Blue Iris

A combination of the stability and calming aspects of blue and the enigmatic elements of purple, Blue Iris meets in the middle, giving you permission to stay grounded as you explore the unknown.

2007: Chili Pepper

As implied by its name, this 2007 Color of the Year is spicy but still sophisticated, bold but also demure.

2006: Sand Dollar

For 2006, Pantone opted for this appeasing neutral in an effort to "convey a growing concern about the economy," per Walker Edison. Reminiscent of desert, sand and stone, the color also exudes a type of peace derived from nature.

2005: Blue Turquoise

Much like the ocean, this electrifying hue is equal parts calming and enticing.

2004: Tigerlily

Inspired by the real tiger lily flower, which some believe represents wealth, confidence and pride, 2004's Color of the Year was meant to inspire passion and rejuvenation.

2003: Aqua Sky

Another blue-green combo, Aqua Sky was picked for its cool and serene qualities.

2002: True Red

A classic hue, True Red is often associated with love, passion, power and other intense emotions.

2001: Fuschia Rose

Bringing in the feel-good vibes for 2001 was Fuschia Rose, which was selected for its cheerful and playful vibes.

2000: Cerulean

Most people now speak about Cerulean in reference to that famous scene in The Devil Wears Prada, but it was actually the Pantone Color Institute's inaugural color of the year. With its calmness and stability, this pale blue hue was the right selection to usher us into the new millennium.

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