Lilac #C8A2C8
Lilac is a soft, dusty pink-purple with the hex code #C8A2C8. It is light, low in saturation, and sits between warm and cool, so it looks muted and delicate. Like the spring shrub it is named after, it feels fragrant, romantic, and slightly old-fashioned.
There is no CSS keyword for lilac. #C8A2C8 is a common value; real lilac flowers range from near-white to deep purple.
| HEX | #C8A2C8 | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(200, 162, 200) | |
| HSL | hsl(300, 26%, 71%) | |
| HSV | hsv(300, 19%, 78%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 19%, 0%, 22%) |
Text on Lilac
Black text reads better on Lilac. Ratios use the WCAG 2 formula: 4.5:1 passes AA for body text, 3:1 passes for large text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Colors that go with Lilac
Lilac tints and shades
Tints mix Lilac with white, shades mix it with black, in 15% steps. Copy any code, or open the tint and shade generator for a full scale.
Tints
Shades
Lilac color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #C8A2C8 and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Lilac color meaning
Lilac bushes bloom in spring, and the color carries that season with it: new growth, freshness, and the brief window when the flowers are out. For many people the shade is tied to the scent of lilacs in a backyard.
It also has a quieter history. In Victorian Britain, mourning dress followed set stages, and after the period of full black, people moved into 'half-mourning' colors such as gray, lilac, and mauve. That link has mostly faded, but it explains why lilac can feel wistful.
Today lilac reads as gentle, romantic, and nostalgic. Its dusty quality keeps it from feeling childish, so it sits comfortably in adult fashion, weddings, and interiors. It is softer and pinker than lavender and less saturated than orchid.
How to use Lilac in design
Lilac needs dark text. Charcoal, deep plum, and navy read well on it; white text is too faint. It makes a soft background for invitations, beauty packaging, and florist or bridal websites. In UI, it can work as a gentle highlight for selected states or tags.
Next to warm beige it can look muddy, so pair it with cooler neutrals like gray and silver, or with greens. In interiors it suits bedrooms and powder rooms, and in fashion it is a spring staple.
Palettes with Lilac tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #C8A2C8.
Colors similar to Lilac
Work with Lilac
Lilac FAQ
What color is lilac?
Lilac is a pale purple with a pinkish tint and a slightly gray, dusty quality. The value #C8A2C8 has nearly equal red and blue, which gives it that balanced pink-purple look. It is lighter than mauve in most uses and softer than lavender, much like the shrub's flowers.
What colors go with lilac?
Greens are a natural match, especially sage, mint, and olive, since they echo the plant. Plum and eggplant add depth, while silver, gray, and white keep things cool and elegant. For weddings, lilac with sage and cream is a popular, soft combination that photographs well.