Every single Pantone Colour of the Year from 2000 – 2025
It's that time again – the Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 has been announced as Mocha Mousse. For the Pantone Colour of the Year selection process, colour experts at the Pantone Colour Institute comb the world looking for new colour influences, from the entertainment industry to fashion, travel destinations and socio-economic conditions. Influences can also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.
Then towards the end of each year (typically in early December), a defining colour for the forthcoming year – better known as the Colour of the Year (aka COTY) – is announced.
Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute, says there's 'a misconception that we gather a bunch of colour influencers in a room one day and emerge with the decision'. That couldn't be further from the truth. The selection does not take place in one isolated meeting at a specific time of year. Instead, as Laurie explains: 'It is one long, continuously flowing conversation among a group of colour-attuned people.'
Pantone provides the universal language of colour, with the annual announcement (that has been established for more than 20 years) gaining global attention and influencing products across fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design.
The Pantone Colour Institute created the Pantone Colour of the Year educational program in 1999 to engage the design community and colour enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around colour. Here we take a look at all the defining colours chosen by Pantone so far (currently totalling 28), from the newly-announced Mocha Mousse to the debut colour Cerulean...
2025: Mocha Mousse
A warming rich brown, Mocha Mousse is a sophisticated shade that 'nurtures'. Mocha Mousse extends perceptions of the colour brown from being humble and grounded to more aspirational and luxe. Its name makes a nod to the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate, and coffee, thus appealing to a desire for comfort.
2024: Peach Fuzz
Nestled between pink and orange, Peach Fuzz is a soft peach hue with a vintage vibe. This warm and cosy shade evokes a new modernity, bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, and communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration. Peach Fuzz marks the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Colour of the Year forecast.
2023: Viva Magenta
Viva Magenta is a nuanced crimson red with pink tones that presents a balance between warm and cool. Rooted in nature, this hybrid colour is powerful, empowering and assertive, but not aggressive – it encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint. Ultimately, this electrifying, boundary-less shade promotes optimism, joy and strength.
2022: Very Peri
Very Peri is a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone. Futuristic in feeling and encouraging inventiveness and creativity, Very Peri blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red. A brand new shade, it marked the first time Pantone created a new colour in the history of its Colour of the Year forecasts.
2021: Illuminating and Ultimate Grey [joint COTY]
For the second time, the blending of two shades – Illuminating and Ultimate Grey – are chosen as the Pantone Colour of the Year.
Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity; a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power.
2021: Illuminating and Ultimate Grey [joint COTY]
For the second time, the blending of two shades – Illuminating and Ultimate Grey – are chosen as the Pantone Colour of the Year.
Ultimate Grey quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience. The versatile grey shade resembles pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time.
2020: Classic Blue
An expansive presence, Classic Blue is evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky opening a world of possibilities.
2019: Living Coral
Living Coral is an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energises and enlivens with a softer edge.
2018: Ultra Violet
A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us towards the future.
2017: Greenery
A refreshing and revitalising shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings.
2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity [joint COTY]
For the first time, the blending of two shades – Serenity and Rose Quartz – are chosen as the Pantone Colour of the Year.
Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.
2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity [joint COTY]
For the first time, the blending of two shades – Serenity and Rose Quartz – are chosen as the Pantone Colour of the Year.
Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.
2015: Marsala
A naturally robust and earthy wine red, Marsala enriches our minds, bodies and souls.
2014: Radiant Orchid
An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.
2013: Emerald
A luminous, magnificent hue, Emerald is the colour of beauty, new life and prosperity.
2012: Tangerine Tango
Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango is a vivacious, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.
2011: Honeysuckle
A bright, sherberty pink shade, uplifting and optimistic, evoking nostalgic feelings of summertime.
2010: Turquoise
Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.
2009: Mimosa
A warm and engaging yellow. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other colour expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.
2008: Blue Iris
Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.
2007: Chili Pepper
A deep, spicy red, its boldness is appealingly eye-catching, sophisticated and enticing. Chili Pepper connotes an outgoing, confident, design-savvy attitude.
2006: Sand Dollar
Natural and organic, Sand Dollar – considered to express concerns about the 2006 economy – is a warm shade that relaxes and soothes nerves. It is also reminiscent of the desert and soft sandy beaches.
2005: Blue Turquoise
Taking inspiration from the colour of the sea, the calming and reassuring Blue Turquoise is gentler in tone than true Turquoise.
2004: Tigerlily
Bright, bold, passionate and rejuvenating, Tigerlily contains red and yellow and draws its inspiration from the flowers around us.
2003: Aqua Sky
Soft, calm and cool, the blue-green Aqua Sky lends a serene look.
2002: True Red
A vivid red, associated with love, passion and power, and chosen for its deep and meaningful hue.
2001: Fuchsia Rose
A bright, feel-good feminine colour, Fuchsia Rose is passionate, intense and exciting, yet also warm and endearing.
2000: Cerulean
Pantone's first ever Colour of the Year and the official colour of the millennium was Cerulean Blue; the colour of the sky on a serene, crystal clear day. It connotes restful, peaceful and relaxing times.
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