Pantone 186 C
Vivid red
- One of 165 colors in Pantone Red Colors.
- White text works best (5.88:1, passes WCAG AA for body text).
- Closest RAL: RAL 3027 Raspberry Red — very close (ΔE 1.4).
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
#C8102EBase colorAnalogous
#C8102EBase colorTriadic
#C8102EBase colorClosest RAL and NCS colors
#C51D34ΔE 1.4 · very close#CB3234ΔE 4.0 · close#F1281ANCS (published crosswalk) · ΔE 12.6 · visibly different#BC232DNCS (nearest on screen) · ΔE 2.3 · very closeThe crosswalk code is the commonly published NCS equivalent; its on-screen swatch is only an approximation, so compare physical samples.
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. 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 186 C
186 C sits between the brighter 185 C and the deeper 187 C in the classic 18x row of red Pantone references, and is a common reference when a brand calls for a strong, saturated red.
The CMYK values on this page are a process approximation. Strong reds like this can lose punch when built from four process inks, so specify it as a spot color when the red must match closely.
On uncoated paper the same ink usually looks darker and less saturated. If you print on uncoated stock, check against an uncoated (U) swatch rather than this coated reference.
Use in code
:root {
--pantone-186-c: #C8102E;
}
.brand {
background-color: var(--pantone-186-c);
color: #FFFFFF;
}$pantone-186-c: #C8102E;// tailwind.config.js → theme.extend.colors
'pantone-186-c': '#C8102E',
<div class="bg-[#C8102E]">…</div>Frequently asked questions
What is the HEX code for Pantone 186 C?
The screen approximation used on this site is #C8102E, which is RGB 200, 16, 46.
What are the CMYK values for Pantone 186 C?
A process approximation is C 0, M 92, Y 77, K 22. Spot inks can look different from a four-color build, so proof important jobs.
What is the closest RAL color to Pantone 186 C?
RAL 3027 Raspberry Red is the closest RAL Classic color (ΔE 1.4, very close).
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 186 C?
White text reads better, with a contrast ratio of 5.88:1 (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.