THE COLOR LIBRARY / Cool
Teal color codes.
The CSS teal color code is #008080. Its RGB value is rgb(0, 128, 128) and its HSL value is hsl(180, 100%, 25.1%). 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 teal may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Teal in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#008080rgb(0, 128, 128)hsl(180, 100%, 25.1%)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 teal 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 · #008080
rgb(0, 128, 128)hsl(180, 100%, 25.1%)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 teal
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #008080. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 4.40:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 4.77:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 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.
Do not infer contrast from the hue name. The reference teal and its lighter tints behave differently against white; check each state separately.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use teal in product design
Give it one clear role
Teal sits between green and blue and can support a distinct brand action or navigation accent. Choose whether it means interaction, status, or identity before applying it throughout a product.
A UI example to try
A workspace switcher can use teal for its selected workspace marker while retaining a check icon and workspace name. Use neutral treatments for inactive options.
Work through a real screen
Build an informational card with a teal accent, neutral body text, and a clear action. Decide whether teal expresses the brand or a product state; keep that role stable across the interface. Review the same card beside success messages so users do not need to infer meaning from a subtle green-blue difference.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare teal with cyan for lighter emphasis and green when the task involves status conventions. Preserve distinct semantic names if the roles differ, even when the selected values happen to look similar in one theme.
- Choose the role. Decide whether teal 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 teal 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 {
--teal-100: #CCE6E6;
--teal-300: #66B3B3;
--teal-500: #008080;
--teal-700: #006060;
--teal-900: #004040;
}Common questions about teal
What is the HEX code for teal?
The CSS named color teal is #008080. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is teal 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.