Pantone Unveils 2021 Color(s) of the Year!

As 2020 comes to a close, the Pantone Color Institute has unveiled the color(s) that will best reflect the year ahead….

  • “Illuminating” – Pantone 13-0647
  • “Ultimate Grey” – Pantone 17-5104

The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit” – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

Together, this combination conveys a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.

This marks the first time ever that grey has been selected and the second time for yellow. The last time we saw an optimistic yellow hue was during the economic recession crisis in 2008. This announcement also marks just the second time in Pantone’s history where two colors were selected. The first time was back in 2015, when Rose Quartz and Serenity were chosen to be the 2016 colors. That year, Pantone announced that the two shades were meant to blend together, a representation of social progress. This year however, the two colors are complementary tones, supporting each other while also meant to each stand on their own.