Are Pantone hex values exact?

No. Pantone colors are physical spot inks mixed for print, and there is no exact, lossless mapping to sRGB. The hex values here are widely used approximations for on-screen previews and should never replace a printed Pantone swatch book for production.

Why does my print look different from the hex on screen?

Screens emit RGB light while Pantone inks reflect light on paper, so the gamuts differ. Paper stock, ink batch, and lighting all shift the result. Use these hex codes for digital mockups only and confirm with a physical Pantone guide for press work.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated Pantone colors?

The same PMS ink looks different on coated (C) glossy stock versus uncoated (U) absorbent stock. Coated appears brighter and more saturated. This reference lists generalized coated approximations; check the specific C or U value for your job.

Can I use these colors commercially?

The hex approximations themselves are just color values and free to use. Pantone numbers and the official color libraries are Pantone's intellectual property; you typically need a licensed Pantone product for production color matching.

Does this cover every Pantone color?

No. The Pantone Matching System has thousands of colors. This is a curated reference of commonly used PMS spot colors. For a complete, color-accurate set you need an official Pantone fan deck or licensed digital library.

Pantone PMS Color Reference

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Pantone’s Matching System (PMS) defines standardized spot-ink colors so that a brand red prints identically at any press worldwide. Because those inks are physical, there is no perfect digital equivalent — but designers still need an on-screen approximation. This reference lists popular PMS colors with their common hex and sRGB values.

How it works

Each Pantone color is a recipe of base inks, not a digital color. To preview it on screen, color managers convert the measured spectral data of the ink into an sRGB triplet under a standard illuminant (usually D50). The result is an approximation: the on-screen swatch will never match the printed ink exactly, because RGB light and reflected ink occupy different color gamuts.

This tool stores a curated table of PMS number → hex → RGB. Searching filters the list by number or name, and the copy button places the hex on your clipboard.

Tips and notes

Use these hex values for digital mockups, web previews, and presentations only.
For anything going to press, confirm against a physical Pantone guide in the correct finish (coated C, uncoated U, or matte M).
A color that looks vivid on your monitor may print dull, especially on uncoated stock — order a press proof for critical brand colors.