Pantone Color of the Year 2023: Viva Magenta

Viva Magenta (PANTONE 18-1750) is a vivid crimson with a fuchsia edge that invited bold, tactile storytelling as brands searched for renewed energy.

What color is Viva Magenta?

• Saturated red leaning to fuchsia; brighter than wine, deeper than hot pink.
• Mid-high value and strong chroma; reads vivid but not neon.
• A “dyed-fabric” feel that keeps it tactile instead of plastic.

Why it was chosen as Color of the Year

• Post-lockdown mood needed courage and sensation—magenta signals action and creativity.
• Photographs well on neutrals and natural textures, giving campaigns instant drama.
• Strong anchor for gradients and glows in digital experiences.

Viva Magenta values (HEX/RGB/CMYK/CSS copy-ready)

• HEX #BE3455
• RGB 190, 52, 85
• CMYK 0, 73, 55, 25
• CSS color: #BE3455; / --pantone-2023: #BE3455;

Is it warm or cool? Compared with close neighbors

• Warm-red base with cool magenta edge; feels energetic but not orange.
• Versus coral (#F45B69): Viva Magenta is deeper and less orange—more dramatic.
• Versus ruby (#C2185B): Viva Magenta is slightly cooler and more modern.
• Versus crimson (#B11226): Viva Magenta is pinker and more playful.

Why it reads premium (color psychology & mood keywords)

• Keywords: fearless, sensual, creative, celebratory, tactile.
• Rich saturation suggests dyed textiles, leather, and foil—materials linked to cost.
• Paired with deep navy/charcoal and soft off-whites, it becomes editorial-luxe.

4 palettes (Style / Home / Brand / UI)

• Style: #BE3455 / #0F172A / #F5F3EF / #7C3AED / #F4A261
• Home: #BE3455 / #F9E2E7 / #1F2937 / #CBB29E / #7192A8
• Brand: #BE3455 / #111827 / #E5E7EB / #CBD5E1 / #2EC4B6
• UI: #BE3455 / #111827 / #E5E7EB / #FDF2F8 / #EAB308

How to use it in different scenes (Home / Style / Print / Web)

• Home: Use on art, rugs, or accent chairs; calm with stone, oat, and deep charcoal.
• Style: Reserve full saturation for statement pieces; balance with navy, taupe, or crisp white.
• Print: Large color blocks or spot color on covers/packaging; foil, deboss, or grain add depth.
• Web: Hero gradients, CTAs, or highlight states; keep text in deep charcoal/navy for AA contrast.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Pairing with neon pink/orange—shifts the palette into cheap or sporty territory.
• Using magenta for body text on light backgrounds; contrast is insufficient.
• Flat fills without texture; add grain, fabric cues, or subtle bevels to avoid “UI pink.”
• Overloading with multiple bright accents; let magenta be the single signal color.

FAQ

• Q: Is Viva Magenta just a hot pink? A: It’s deeper and more crimson, giving it richness and versatility beyond neon pink.
• Q: Can it work for corporate brands? A: Yes, if grounded with navy/charcoal and used as an accent rather than base.
• Q: How to make it feel gender-neutral? A: Pair with structured typography, deep neutrals, and materials like stone or brushed metal.
• Q: Dark mode? A: Works well as an accent; main surfaces should remain dark charcoal/navy for contrast.

Trademark note

Pantone® is a trademark of Pantone LLC. This article is informational and not affiliated with Pantone.