Color palettes
Primary palette
Crimson and blue have long been KU’s identifying colors. The Our Chant Rises campaign retains those traditional colors and adds an extended palette of complimentary and secondary colors. The extended palette options range from cool-hued reverent designs to multicolored celebrations.
Kansas Blue
PMS 293
C100 M55 Y0 K5
#0051ba
r0 g81 b186
Crimson
PMS 186
C0 M100 Y80 K5
#e8000d
r232 g0 b13
Jayhawk Yellow
PMS 116
C0 M15 Y100 K0
#ffc82d
r255 g200 b45
Signature Gray
PMS 430
C5 M0 Y0 K45
#85898a
R133 G137 B138
Secondary palette
When pulling in colors from the secondary palettes to enhance the KU crimson and blue, use your best judgment in terms of color amounts.
Night
PMS 534 C
C95 M74 Y7 K44
#003459
R0 G52 B89
Lake
PMS 285 C
C99 M50 Y0 K0
#2767ff
R39 G103 B255
Sky
PMS 297 C
C52 M0 Y1 K0
#73cbf2
R115 G203 B242
Fog
PMS 535 C
C47 M22 Y6 K7
#8e9fbc
R142 G159 B188
Steam
PMS 656 C
C10 M2 Y0 K0
#dde5ed
R221 G229 B237
Brick
PMS 7427 C
C8 M100 Y70 K33
#971b2f
R151 G27 B47
Fire
PMS 185 C
C0 M90 Y84 K0
#ff3042
R255 G48 B66
Wheat
PMS 130 C
C0 M32 Y100 K0
#f2a900
R242 G169 B0
Terra Cotta
PMS 7618 C
C12 M63 Y72 K0
#c66e4e
R198 G110 B78
Limestone
PMS WARM GRAY 1C
C6 M7 Y10 K11
#d7d2cb
R215 G210 B203
Tints and shades
The tints and shades palette includes variations of our primary and secondary palette. This palette was created to support digital designs. These colors should be used only when designing for screens and where the primary and secondary palettes are not a good fit.
Kansas blue - step 1
#1479FB
R20 G121 B251
Kansas blue - step 2
#0170FF
R1 G112 B255
Kansas blue - step 3
#004091
R0 G64 B145
Kansas blue - step 4
#003171
R0 G49 B113
Crimson - step 1
#FB5A62
R251 G90 B98
Crimson - step 2
#FB2F39
R251 G47 B57
Crimson - step 3
#B90009
R185 G0 B9
Crimson - step 4
#900007
R144 G0 B7
Steam - step 1
#E7ECF2
R231 G236 B242
Steam - step 2
#F2F5F8
R242 G245 B248
Limestone - step 1
#DFDBD5
R223 G219 B213
Limestone - step 2
#F5F4F2
R245 G244 B242
Fog - step 1
#A5B2C9
R165 G178 B201
Fog - step 2
#E3E7EE
R227 G231 B238
Sky - step 1
#B6E2F5
R182 G226 B245
Sky - step 2
#DCF2FC
R220 G242 B252
Grey 1
#F1F1F1
R241 G241 B241
Grey 2
#D9D9D9
R217 G217 B217
Grey 3
#AAAAAA
R170 G170 B170
Grey 4
#7E7E7E
R126 G126 B126
Text grey
#333333
R51 G51 B51
Color accessibility
Colors and color combinations in your designs must meet accessibility standards.
First, be sure to communicate meaning with more than just color. Consider people with colorblindness when choosing images and colors on your website, and avoid statements such as “choose the green button to go to the next page.”
Second, be sure that your colors meet contrast standards in accordance with WCAG 2.0 guideline 1.4. This allows individuals with low visibility to properly distinguish foreground and background colors, especially in text and graphic elements. It is best to check your color choices using a color contrast checker such as the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker.
Here are a few color combinations from our palette that meet accessibility standards.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
Text grey on Steam
PASS
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
Night on Sky
PASS
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
White on Kansas blue
PASS
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
Text white on brick
PASS
The examples below do not meet accessibility standards.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
Text grey on Crimson
FAIL
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
Night on Lake
FAIL
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
White on Signature Grey
FAIL
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk
White on Sky
FAIL
KU Blue Pantone
The official University of Kansas blue is referred to as KU Blue PANTONE (PMS) 293. The gray used in the logotype is PANTONE (PMS) 430. You may substitute a 45 percent black screen for PMS 430 Signature Gray. Whenever possible, print PMS 293 as a spot or fifth color to ensure color accuracy.
The colors shown in this guide are for color reference only. Match to PANTONE® color standards for accuracy. PANTONE® is the property of Pantone, Inc.
Colors to avoid
Avoid using colors that could appear to represent other Midwestern institutions, especially members of our athletic conference.
Colors and color combinations to avoid: maroon and gray, green and yellow, yellow and black, purple, gold and black, red and black, maroon and white, orange, and burnt orange.