HTML Colour

Colors can be represented either as a six-digit hexadecimal value following the character “#”, or by the “HTML Color Name”.  For example, the general background of this page is the HTML Color Name defined as "Azure".

The HTML 4.01 standard defines a specific range of 141 Color Names, whereas the six-digit hexadecimal value is unrestricted in range.  The HTML 4.01 defined Color Names are illustrated on this page.

The newer XHTML 1.01 standard defines a more restricted range of 16 Color Names (see separate page).  A further page illustrates the contrast effect of coloured text against a coloured background, suggesting combinations might be more suitable than others.

In the list below, Color Names are listed with their hexadecimal equivalents.  Colors are exhibited in approximate order of overall colour intensity, from lightest to darkest.

Although most current browsers still support the HTML 4.01 standard, this level of support may change over time.  In particular, support for the full HTML 4.01 list should not be assumed to available on all portable and specialist display devices.

1. To set the background-color property, use the construction:
           style="background-color:[color_name];"
2. To set the foreground text color property, use the construction:
           style="color:[color_name];"
3. To set the foreground border-color property, use the construction:
           style="border-color:[color_name];"

HTML 4.01 Color Names

Note that entries marked on the right with * are also included in the XHTML 1.01 list.