We offer 24 different colours, providing in-built flexibility and choice.
The palette anchors on Cambridge Blue, our signature colour. This should form the base of all our communications as it is a highly recognisable element of our identity.
When using Cambridge colours in print, proof against a printed Pantone chip and adjust the colour for the best match. Contact brand@admin.cam.ac.uk to check your colour use.
Core palette
Use our core palette across all designs and digital channels to reinforce our brand.
In print, use CMYK or Pantone values. For digital, use RGB values.
Cambridge Blue
Pantone: 7471
Hex: #8EEBD8
RGB: 142 232 216
CMYK: 48 0 27 0
Cambridge Light Blue
Pantone: 9480
Hex: #D1F9F1
RGB: 209 249 241
CMYK: 21 0 12 0
Cambridge Warm Blue
Pantone: 326
Hex: #00BDB6
RGB: 0 189 182
CMYK: 69 0 34 0
Cambridge Dark Blue
Pantone: 547
Hex: #133844
RGB: 19 56 68
CMYK: 100 47 40 68
- Maximise white space in your design to create a clean and contemporary look.
- Use Cambridge blue as the prominent colour.
- Use the full range of Cambridge blues to create impact.
- Do not use Cambridge dark blue as the main colour. Use it as an accent colour.
Secondary palette
The secondary colour palette adds variation and warmth.
It complements the primary colour palette and is to be used alongside the primary colour palette - and never independently.
It is not to be used in isolation on any individual asset.
Crest
Light Crest
Hex: #FFE2C8
RGB: 255 226 200
CMYK: 0 10 30 0
Pantone: 155
Warm Crest
Hex: #FFC392
RGB: 255 195 146
CMYK: 0 35 60 0
Pantone: 157
Crest
Hex: #FD8153
RGB: 253 129 83
CMYK: 0 60 70 0
Pantone: 2026
Dark Crest
Hex: #DD3025
RGB: 221 48 37
CMYK: 0 85 90 0
Pantone: 179
Cherry
Light Cherry
Hex: #F2CAD8
RGB: 242 202 216
CMYK: 0 20 5 0
Pantone: 705
Warm Cherry
Hex: #E18AAC
RGB: 225 138 172
CMYK: 5 60 20 0
Pantone: 701
Cherry
Hex: #CD3572
RGB: 205 53 114
CMYK: 10 90 20 5
Pantone: 7635
Dark Cherry
Hex: #911449
RGB: 145 20 73
CMYK: 25 95 35 30
Pantone: 7420
Purple
Light Purple
Hex: #F2ECF8
RGB: 242 236 248
CMYK: 6 9 0 0
Pantone: 649 C
Warm Purple
Hex: #D1B7EB
RGB: 209 183 235
CMYK: 22 33 0 0
Pantone: 256 C
Purple
Hex: #A368DF
RGB: 163 104 223
CMYK: 55 64 0 0
Pantone: 2577 C
Dark Purple
Hex: #681FB1
RGB: 104 31 177
CMYK: 79 88 0 0
Pantone: 267 C
Indigo
Light Indigo
Hex: #EBEDFB
RGB: 235 237 251
CMYK: 10 10 0 0
Pantone: 2706
Warm Indigo
Hex: #B0B9F1
RGB: 176 185 241
CMYK: 35 25 0 0
Pantone: 2751
Indigo
Hex: #5366E0
RGB: 83 102 224
CMYK: 65 50 0 0
Pantone: 2130
Dark Indigo
Hex: #29347A
RGB: 41 52 122
CMYK: 100 90 20 5
Pantone: 2746
Green
Light Green
Hex: #DFF2EA
RGB: 223 242 234
CMYK: 15 0 15 0
Pantone: 621
Warm Green
Hex: #AFDFCB
RGB: 175 223 203
CMYK: 30 0 29 0
Pantone: 566
Green
Hex: #4DB78C
RGB: 77 183 140
CMYK: 62 15 47 0
Pantone: 7723
Dark Green
Hex: #13553A
RGB: 19 85 58
CMYK: 70 20 53 40
Pantone: 5545
Greyscale palette
The greyscale palette is a neutral colour option.
- Use it alongside bolder colours.
- Use Slate 4 for text instead of black.
White
Hex: #FFFFFF
RGB: 255 255 255
CMYK: 0 0 0 0
Slate 1
Hex: #ECEEF1
RGB: 236 238 241
CMYK: 10 5 5 0
Pantone: 656
Slate 2
Hex: #B5BDC8
RGB: 181 189 200
CMYK: 35 20 18 0
Pantone: 7543
Slate 3
Hex: #546072
RGB: 84 96 114
CMYK: 65 52 35 25
Pantone: 7545
Slate 4
Hex: #232830
RGB: 35 40 48
CMYK: 85 70 55 70
Pantone: Black 6
Heritage Cambridge Blue
This colour acknowledges a continuity with the past. It can be featured on our branded merchandise, if appropriate. Please consult with brand@admin.cam.ac.uk if you want to use it.
Pantone ® 557 C
Hex: #85B09A
RGB: 133 176 154
CMYK: 48 4 35 10
Text and background colours
Accessibility
To make text accessible, there must be enough contrast between the text and background colour.
- Use Slate 4 for text instead of black.
Colour combinations
Always check your colour contrast choices using tools like contrast.tools.
- Do not use Cambridge Blue text on white backgrounds.
- Make copy accessible by avoiding white text on Cambridge Blue backgrounds.
Choose from these approved combinations to help ensure effective colour contrast:
White background
Slate 4
Cambridge Dark Blue
Dark Cherry
Dark Crest
Dark Green
Dark Indigo
Dark Purple
Cambridge Blue background
Slate 4
Cambridge Dark Blue
Dark Indigo
Cambridge Dark Blue background
White
Cambridge Warm Blue
Cambridge Light Blue
Light Cherry
Light Crest
Warm Crest
Light Green
Warm Green
Light Indigo
Light Purple
Cambridge Light Blue background
Slate 4
Cambridge Dark Blue
Dark Cherry
Dark Green
Dark Indigo
Dark Purple
Cambridge Warm Blue background
Slate 4
Cambridge Dark Blue
Slate 4 background
White
Cambridge Blue
Cambridge Warm Blue
Cambridge Light Blue
