Color Name Finder
Search 31,000+ named colors by HEX or name
Snap-Shot
Shades & Tints
What is a Color Name Finder?
Identify specific shades instantly.
In the vast universe of digital design, precise communication is everything. We often find ourselves staring at a beautiful shade of blue, wondering, "Is this Cobalt, Azure, or Cerulean?" While computers communicate in rigorous codes like HEX (#FF5733) or RGB (255, 87, 51), humans connect through names.
The Color Name Finder is a specialized utility designed to bridge this gap between machine language and human perception. By analyzing the mathematical properties of your chosen color, our engine compares it against a comprehensive database of over 30,000 named colors—ranging from standardized web colors and Crayola classics to sophisticated Pantone equivalents and traditional pigment names.
Whether you're a frontend developer building a style guide, a graphic designer communicating with clients ("Let's make the button 'Crimson' instead of 'Red'"), or an artist digitizing a physical painting, this tool gives you the exact vocabulary you need. Best of all, it works entirely Client-Side, meaning your search is instant and private.
How to Identify a Color
Enter Code
Paste any HEX code (e.g., #3B82F6) into the search bar. You can also type a partial name like "Blue".
Get Match
Our algorithm instantly calculates the nearest named color match and its accuracy score.
Details
View the exact name, RGB/HSL values, and a downloadable swatch for your mood board.
Why Use This Tool?
Algorithmic Precision
Uses 3D Euclidean distance calculations to find the mathematically closest named color in the RGB spectrum.
Design Systems
Standardize your palette naming. Instead of "dark blue", use precise names like "Midnight" or "Navy".
Instant Lookup
Zero latency. The entire database of 30,000+ colors is queried locally in milliseconds using optimized search.
History Tracking
Automatically saves your recently identified colors so you can compare multiple shades easily.
Shades & Tints
Automatically generates lighter tints and darker shades for any color you identify.
Data Export
Download a generated color swatch card or copy RGB, HSL, and HEX values with a single click.
Pro Tip: Designing with Semantic Names
When defining a design system, avoid naming variables after the color itself (like $blue-500). Instead, use the precise name found here to create a semantic mapping. For example, map $color-primary to "Royal Blue" and $color-error to "Carmine". This makes your codebase more readable and conversations with stakeholders more precise.
Who needs a Color Name Finder?
UI/UX Designers
Standardize color palettes and ensure consistent naming conventions across design files (Figma, Sketch).
Frontend Developers
Quickly find readable names for CSS variables or tailwind config files instead of using raw hex codes.
Brand Managers
Audit brand assets to ensure they are using the exact "Official" shade required by guidelines.
Content Creators
Describe products accurately. Instead of "dark red shirt", say "Maroon" or "Burgundy".
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Color Name Finder work?
Our tool uses a mathematical algorithm called 'Euclidean Distance' to compare your input color (in RGB space) against a database of thousands of named colors. It calculates the 3D distance between your color and every other color in the library, identifying the one with the shortest distance as the 'closest match'.
Why doesn't my color have an exact name?
There are over 16 million possible colors in the standard RGB spectrum (256 x 256 x 256), but only a few thousand have standardized names. Most digital colors are technically 'unnamed.' Our tool finds the nearest named neighbor to give you a descriptive label, along with an accuracy percentage.
Can I use these color names in CSS?
Not all of them. CSS only supports about 140 standard color names (like 'Rebeccapurple', 'HotPink', 'SlateGray'). Our tool identifies if a color name is CSS-safe. If it's not, you should use the HEX code (e.g., #FF5733) in your stylesheet instead of the name.
What format should I enter?
You can enter a HEX code with or without the hash symbol (e.g., #2C3E50 or 2C3E50). The tool currently focuses on HEX input as it is the standard for web design.
Is this tool free to use for commercial projects?
Yes, this Color Name Finder is 100% free for both personal and commercial use. You can look up as many colors as you need without any restrictions.
How accurate is the color matching?
The accuracy depends on the size of the database and the 'Match Accuracy' score we display. A score of 95% or higher means the color is virtually indistinguishable to the human eye. Lower scores indicate that while it's the closest named relative, there is a visible difference.
Can I find Pantone colors here?
While we include many colors that have Pantone equivalents in our database, this tool is primarily designed for digital screen colors (sRGB). It can give you a good approximation, but for print work, you should always consult a physical Pantone swatch book.
What is the difference between HEX and RGB?
They are two ways to describe the same color. RGB uses decimal numbers (0-255) for Red, Green, and Blue channels. HEX uses hexadecimal numbers (0-F) to represent those same values compactly. For example, RGB(255, 0, 0) is the same as HEX #FF0000.
Why do some colors have weird names like 'Razzmatazz'?
Color names come from various sources including Crayola crayons, traditional pigments, botanical names, and X11 web standards. Names like 'Razzmatazz' or 'Tickle Me Pink' usually originate from creative Crayola contest winners or branding decisions.
Does this tool save my search history?
Yes! We use local storage in your browser to remember your last 10 searched colors, so you can easily switch back and forth while working on a palette.
What is sRGB vs AdobeRGB?
sRGB is the standard color space for the web. AdobeRGB has a wider gamut (can display more vibrant colors). Our tool operates in standard sRGB space, which is what 99% of web browsers and monitors use.
Why does the color look different on my phone?
Every screen has different 'color calibration'. A high-end iPhone OLED screen will display colors more vibrantly than a budget laptop screen. However, the HEX code (#FF0000) remains mathematically identical across all devices.