Pantone 138 C
Vivid orange
- One of 160 colors in Pantone Orange Colors.
- Black text works best (6.99:1, passes WCAG AA for body text).
- No close RAL match (nearest ΔE 5.1).
Color values
HEX, RGB and CMYK are screen and process approximations, not official Pantone values. Tap a value to copy it.
Text on this color
Similar Pantone colors
Ranked by color difference (ΔE 2000). Below 2 most people cannot tell them apart.
Neighbors by number
Tints and shades
Mixed toward white and black in 20% steps, each matched to the nearest Pantone color.
Tints (toward white)
Shades (toward black)
Color schemes
Hue rotations in OKLCH at the same lightness and chroma, matched to the nearest Pantone color.
Complementary
#DE7C00Base colorAnalogous
#DE7C00Base colorTriadic
#DE7C00Base colorClosest RAL and NCS colors
#ED760EΔE 5.1 · visibly different#EC7C26ΔE 5.5 · visibly different#F19B1CNCS (published crosswalk) · ΔE 9.2 · visibly different#D68026NCS (nearest on screen) · ΔE 2.6 · very closeThe crosswalk code is the commonly published NCS equivalent; its on-screen swatch is only an approximation, so compare physical samples.
No RAL Classic color is a close match for Pantone 138 C. The nearest option differs visibly, so ask your supplier for a custom mix if you need it in RAL-based paint or powder coating.
Compare more options in the Pantone to RAL and Pantone to NCS converters.
How it looks with color blindness
The color shifts noticeably for protanopia and deuteranopia and tritanopia. Do not rely on this color alone to signal status or meaning; add a label or icon. Simulation uses the Machado et al. (2009) model.
About Pantone 138 C
138 C is a deep, warm orange, darker than 137 C.
On screen it is very close to 1385 C (ΔE 2.0). The nearest RAL color, RAL 2000 Yellow Orange, is a borderline match (ΔE 5.1). Black text passes WCAG AA (7.0:1).
Use in code
:root {
--pantone-138-c: #DE7C00;
}
.brand {
background-color: var(--pantone-138-c);
color: #000000;
}$pantone-138-c: #DE7C00;// tailwind.config.js → theme.extend.colors
'pantone-138-c': '#DE7C00',
<div class="bg-[#DE7C00]">…</div>Frequently asked questions
What is the HEX code for Pantone 138 C?
The screen approximation used on this site is #DE7C00, which is RGB 222, 124, 0.
What are the CMYK values for Pantone 138 C?
A process approximation is C 0, M 44, Y 100, K 13. Spot inks can look different from a four-color build, so proof important jobs.
What is the closest RAL color to Pantone 138 C?
No RAL Classic color is a close match. The nearest, RAL 2000 Yellow Orange, differs visibly (ΔE 5.1).
What does the “C” in the name mean?
“C” stands for coated: the reference shows how the ink looks on coated (glossy) paper. The same ink usually looks darker and duller on uncoated paper.
Should I use white or black text on Pantone 138 C?
Black text reads better, with a contrast ratio of 6.99:1 (passes WCAG AA for body text).
Related tools
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone LLC. Pantone® is a registered trademark of Pantone LLC. The color values provided here are for reference purposes only and may not be 100% accurate representations of official Pantone colors.