Special Report

Every "Color of the Year" Since 2000

Mariia Demchenko / Getty Images

Pantone is a familiar term to millions of people, ranging from artists and designers to manufacturers and consumers. Pantone is actually a company based in New Jersey (a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation). Its Pantone Color Matching System is a widely used proprietary catalogue of standardized colors. There are more than 2,100 different ones.

Each year Pantone selects a Color of the Year. “Pantone’s color experts…comb the world looking for new color influences,” says the company. “These can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.” (Looking backwards, perhaps some earlier Pantone colors were influenced by fashion trends only kids from the ‘90s will remember.)

Drawing on the company’s records, 24/7 Tempo has listed every Pantone Color of the Year since 2000 – 25 in all, since in 2021 there were two: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. “Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity,” said Pantone. “It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.” 

Click here to experience every Pantone Color of the Year since 2000

Many people would regard Ultimate Gray as appropriate for the year the Covid pandemic struck; perhaps fewer would see anything Illuminating in 2021. (These are American brands that have gone bankrupt during COVID.)

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2000: Cerulean Blue

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2001: Fuchsia Rose

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2002: True Red

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2003: Aqua Sky

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2004: Tigerlily

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2005: Blue Turquoise

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2006: Sand Dollar

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2007: Chili Pepper

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2008: Blue Iris

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2009: Mimosa

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2010: Turquoise

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2011: Honeysuckle

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2012: Tangerine Tango

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2013: Emerald

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2014: Radiant Orchid

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2015: Marsala

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2016: Rose Quartz

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2016: Serenity

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2017: Greenery

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2018: Ultra Violet

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2019: Living Coral

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2020: Classic Blue

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2021: Ultimate Gray

Courtesy of Pantone.com

2021: Illuminating

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Courtesy of Pantone.com

2022: Very Peri

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