White text passes AAA
9.42:1

Purple

#800080

#800080 is the CSS purple, an even mix of red and blue at half strength. Historically linked with royalty because the dye was rare, it now often signals creativity or luxury. White text is very readable on it at 9.4:1.

HEX#800080
RGBrgb(128, 0, 128)
HSLhsl(300, 100%, 25%)
OKLCHoklch(42.1% 0.193 328.4)
CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%)
CMYK is an approximate screen conversion, not for print matching.

Lighter and darker

Ten steps toward white and ten toward black, with purple in the middle. Click a step to copy its hex code.

LightestPurple #800080Darkest

Readability

White text on purpleNormal text at 16px. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
9.42:1
  • Passes AA normal
  • Passes AA large
  • Passes AAA normal
  • Passes AAA large
Dark text on purpleNormal text at 16px. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
2.23:1
  • Fails AA and AAA

Colors that go with purple

#800080#008000

Complementary

The opposite on the color wheel
#400080#800080#800040

Analogous

Its two neighbors
#800080#808000#008080

Triadic

Three evenly spaced colors
#800080#408000#008040

Split-complementary

The two colors beside its opposite

Purple color palettes

Monochrome

Lighter and darker versions of the same color.

Analogous

Neighbors on the color wheel, for a calm, related look.

Complementary

The color with its opposite, for strong contrast.

Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel, with a light and dark version.

Similar colors

  • Byzantium#702963
  • Grape#6F2DA8
  • Indigo#4B0082
  • Plum#8E4585
  • Royal Purple#7851A9
  • Gunmetal#2A3439
  • Violet#8000FF
  • Onyx#353839
Shades of purpleEvery named purple shade with hex codes

Use purple in a tool

Check text contrast with purpleMix purple with other colorsBuild an accessible palette from purple

Questions about purple

What is the hex code for purple?

The hex code for purple is #800080. In RGB it's rgb(128, 0, 128), and in HSL it's hsl(300, 100%, 25%).

What colors go with purple?

Its complementary color is #008000. For a calmer look, try the analogous colors #400080 and #800040, or one of the palettes above, which all include purple.

Is text readable on purple?

White text is the better choice, with a contrast ratio of 9.42:1. That passes WCAG AA for normal text.