Image & Color Tools
Color Name Finder
Find color names from hex or RGB values. Discover the closest named color with visual preview. Database of 140+ CSS color names plus extended color name library for designers.
Use Color Name Finder to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.
Your results will appear here.
About this tool
While hex codes and RGB values are precise, color names are more memorable and semantic. Instead of remembering #FF6347, you can use "tomato". Named colors make CSS more readable, easier to maintain, and help communicate design intent to team members who aren't looking at visual mockups.
CSS defines 140+ standard color names that work across all browsers, from basic colors like "red" and "blue" to descriptive names like "cornflowerblue", "palevioletred", and "mediumaquamarine". These names are part of the HTML/CSS specification and provide a universal color vocabulary for web development.
Our Color Name Finder helps you identify which named color is closest to your hex or RGB value. This is useful when you want to use semantic color names for better code readability, when converting designs to code, or when you need to describe a color in human-friendly terms.
The tool calculates color distance using perceptual color difference algorithms to find the closest match. While the match may not be perfect (your exact color vs. nearest named color), it provides a useful semantic reference point.
Usage examples
Red Identification
Find name for red hex
#FF0000 → Red RGB(255, 0, 0) → Red Exact match
Approximate Match
Find closest named color
#FF6B4A → Closest: Tomato (#FF6347) Similar but not exact
Unique Names
Discover CSS color names
#FFB6C1 → LightPink #DDA0DD → Plum #F0E68C → Khaki
Gray Shades
Identify gray variations
#696969 → DimGray #D3D3D3 → LightGray #DCDCDC → Gainsboro
How to use
- Enter a hex color code (e.g., #FF5733) or RGB values.
- The tool finds the closest named color from CSS color database.
- View the color name, hex code, and RGB values.
- See visual preview comparing your input color to the named color.
- Use the named color in your designs for better readability.
- Perfect for finding semantic color names for code.
Benefits
- Identify colors from hex or RGB instantly
- Database of 140+ CSS color names
- Find closest named color match
- Visual color comparison preview
- Make CSS more readable with names
- Better than memorizing hex codes
- Semantic color references for teams
- Perfect for code documentation
- Universal browser support
- Discover unique color names
- Essential for web developers
- No installation required
FAQs
What are CSS color names?
CSS color names are predefined keywords that represent specific colors, standardized by W3C. There are 140+ named colors including basics (red, blue, green), descriptive names (tomato, skyblue, limegreen), and extended names (cornflowerblue, palevioletred). All modern browsers support these names.
Should I use color names or hex codes in CSS?
Both are valid. Named colors are more readable and semantic (color: tomato vs color: #FF6347), making code easier to understand. Use named colors for common colors and when readability matters. Use hex/RGB for precise brand colors or when you need exact color control.
Why doesn't my color have an exact name match?
There are millions of possible colors but only 140+ CSS named colors. Most colors won't have exact matches - the tool finds the closest named color. For example, #FF6B4A doesn't have a name, but "tomato" (#FF6347) is very similar and provides a semantic reference.
What are some interesting CSS color names?
CSS has many unique color names: rebeccapurple (#663399, added in honor of Eric Meyer's daughter), papayawhip, blanched almond, mistyrose, peachpuff, cornsilk, lavenderblush, and many more. These descriptive names make code more expressive than hex values.
Can I use color names in all CSS properties?
Yes! Color names work anywhere hex or RGB values work: color, background-color, border-color, box-shadow, etc. They're fully supported in modern and legacy browsers. You can even mix formats: border: 2px solid tomato;
What is the "closest" color algorithm?
The tool calculates color distance using mathematical color difference formulas that consider human color perception. It compares your input color to all 140+ named colors and finds the one with minimum perceptual difference. The closest color might not be identical but will be visually similar.
Are there color names beyond the CSS 140?
Yes! Extended color name databases exist (Pantone, Crayola, RAL, etc.) with thousands of named colors. However, only the 140+ CSS/HTML color names work directly in browsers without custom implementation. For other names, you'd need to maintain your own color variable mappings.
Can I use this tool offline?
Yes! This tool works entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Once the page loads, you can use it offline. The color name database and matching algorithms are built into the tool, no server required.
How accurate is the color matching?
The tool uses Euclidean distance in RGB color space to find the closest named color. For exact CSS color hex codes, you'll get perfect matches. For other colors, the "closest" match is mathematically determined but may not always match human perception. The tool shows match quality to indicate accuracy.
Can I add custom color names to the database?
The built-in database contains the 140+ standard CSS/HTML color names recognized by all browsers. For custom color naming in your projects, consider using CSS custom properties: :root { --brand-primary: #3498db; } Then reference as var(--brand-primary). This lets you create semantic names for your brand colors.
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