Visual identity

Colors

Our color palette

Our color palette helps us express our personality and elevate our identity — leading with Berkeley Blue and California Gold. Using color appropriately is one of the easiest ways to make sure our materials reflect a cohesive image or visual story. The UC Berkeley color palette has two layers: primary and secondary palettes.

Primary palette

Our primary colors are Berkeley Blue and California Gold. Additionally, California Heritage Gold may be used in premium or special communications.

Berkeley Blue

  • Hex 002676
  • CMYK 100|91|22|14

California Gold

  • Hex FDB515
  • CMYK 0|32|100|0

White

  • Hex FFFFFF
  • CMYK 0|0|0|0

Secondary palette

Preferred (dark)

Our secondary color palette is designed to complement our primary palette and includes shades that accent and add depth and dimension to our primary colors. They may also be used for data visualization and illustration.

Blue Dark

  • Hex 010133
  • CMYK 96|91|42|62

Gold Dark

  • Hex FC9313
  • CMYK 0|55|100|0

Green Dark

  • Hex 00553A
  • CMYK 100|38|87|38

Rose Dark

  • Hex 770747
  • CMYK 39|100|45|27

Purple Dark

  • Hex 431170
  • CMYK 85|100|18|13

Alternatives (medium)

Blue Medium

  • Hex 004AAE
  • CMYK 99|77|0|0

Gold Medium

  • Hex FFC31B
  • CMYK 0|27|100|0

Green Medium

  • Hex 018943
  • CMYK 98|18|100|5

Rose Medium

  • Hex E7115E
  • CMYK 0|100|43|0

Purple Medium

  • Hex 8236C7
  • CMYK 60|83|0|0

Alternatives (light)

Blue Light

  • Hex 9FD1FF
  • CMYK 37|6|0|0

Gold Light

  • Hex FFE88D
  • CMYK 0|7|61|0

Green Light

  • Hex B3E59A
  • CMYK 36|0|57|0

Rose Light

  • Hex FFCFE5
  • CMYK 0|25|0|0

Purple Light

  • Hex D9CEFF
  • CMYK 13|18|0|0

Black and grays

Black

  • Hex 000000
  • CMYK 100|100|100|100

Gray Medium

  • Hex 808080
  • CMYK 52|43|43|8

Gray Light

  • Hex F2F2F2
  • CMYK 4|2|2|0

Special colors

California Heritage Gold

  • Hex C09748
  • CMYK 22|41|94|2

Pantone colors

Due to inconsistencies identified in the appearance of our recently introduced Pantone blue and gold, the decision has been made to roll back to the previous approved Pantone colors:

Navy PMS 282
Gold PMS 123

The rollback will remain in effect until the color variations can be evaluated and resolved. All campus units are asked to revert to the prior Pantone specifications for blue and gold to maintain alignment with institutional brand standards.

To request access to Pantone numbers for other brand colors, please email [email protected].

Color accessibility

We are committed to web accessibility.

In accordance with the systemwide UC Information Technology Accessibility Policy, and to help serve those with low vision, our web color palette is accessible online and in digital materials.

This page includes approved color combinations that meet accessibility standards. When choosing typography and background colors, always promote visibility and legibility by ensuring sufficient contrast. It’s also important to avoid using color as the only way to differentiate information, such as in graphics. Guidelines for accessibility are available via our Digital Accessibility Program (DAP).

Find a color pairing

Large and small text color options show acceptable use of brand colors for text online, according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Large text is defined as 18px bold or 24px regular or greater. Small text is defined as under 18px.

Text or Background color:

Select a color to show pairings