THE COLOR LIBRARY / Cool
Cyan color codes.
The CSS cyan color code is #00FFFF. Its RGB value is rgb(0, 255, 255) and its HSL value is hsl(180, 100%, 50%). Start with the exact reference, then choose a shade for the job.
A color name describes a family in everyday language. This page uses the standardized CSS keyword as its reference; your brand’s cyan may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Cyan in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#00FFFFrgb(0, 255, 255)hsl(180, 100%, 50%)HEX and RGB encode the same sRGB reference. HSL is calculated from it and rounded to two decimals for display. These are screen color values, not a CMYK print specification.
ONE COLOR. DIFFERENT ROLES.
Explore cyan tints and shades
Select a swatch to see its codes and compare text contrast.
Make the next step clear.
A label, a surface, and room to breathe.
Selected: ReferenceSelected color
Reference · #00FFFF
rgb(0, 255, 255)hsl(180, 100%, 50%)The specimen picks whichever of black or white has higher contrast. It demonstrates a pair, not a complete accessible component.
Illustrative scale: tints mix the reference with white, shades with black, by the stated percentage in encoded sRGB channels. This is not a perceptually uniform scale. Black tints and white shades remain useful; mixing black with black or white with white repeats the reference.
Text contrast on cyan
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #00FFFF. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 16.75:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 1.25:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Fail · 3:1 |
Large text is at least 18pt, or 14pt bold. These numeric checks apply to opaque, solid color pairs. Other criteria, states, backgrounds, and exceptions need review. Read W3C’s contrast guidance.
CSS cyan and aqua are aliases for #00FFFF. A bright cyan accent needs a dark companion for ordinary text on a light surface.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use cyan in product design
Give it one clear role
Cyan can add a bright data accent or highlight to a dark surface. Keep its purpose distinct from informational blue, particularly when charts and notification states appear together.
A UI example to try
A chart can use cyan for one series with a direct label and a different line style. Verify the series against the actual plot background and other series rather than only the page background.
Work through a real screen
Try cyan as a data highlight or light informational surface with a dark foreground. Include the real chart labels or message copy and inspect it against neighboring colors. A bright cyan line on white can be difficult to follow even when it is easy to notice as a large swatch.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare cyan with teal for a quieter accent and blue for a deeper action shade. If these colors appear together in a chart, use labels, shapes, or patterns where needed to preserve distinctions beyond hue.
- Choose the role. Decide whether cyan is a surface, foreground, accent, or status. Name the semantic token after that purpose.
- Test the actual pair. Compare its foreground and background at the intended size. Test hover, selected, focus, and supported themes independently.
- Document the decision. Keep the approved code, usage rule, and contrasting companion together. Preserve labels and non-color cues when communicating a state.
Copy a cyan CSS palette
These numeric names are illustrative palette tokens, not a standard scale. Connect approved values to semantic tokens such as --surface-highlight or --text-primary after testing their pairs.
:root {
--cyan-100: #CCFFFF;
--cyan-300: #66FFFF;
--cyan-500: #00FFFF;
--cyan-700: #00BFBF;
--cyan-900: #008080;
}Common questions about cyan
What is the HEX code for cyan?
The CSS named color cyan is #00FFFF. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is cyan accessible?
A color by itself cannot pass or fail accessibility. The foreground/background pair, content size, interaction state, and meaning all matter. Use the table above for the selected solid-color pair, then review the complete interface.