Overview

The University brand uses both a primary and secondary color palette for print and digital content. There are special alternative versions of Carolina Blue for digital content only. The secondary color palette should be used sparingly as accents to the primary palette. Carolina Blue is the main color of the University and must be used at least 10% on all designs.

Adhering to the following color reproduction guidelines will help to create a consistent image and maintain the visual impact of the identity.

 

Primary Palette

See Web Alternative Colors below for more guidance.

Carolina Blue
PMS 542
CMYK 60, 19, 1, 4
Hex #7BAFD4
RGB 75, 156, 211
Digital Links #007FAE

Navy
PMS 2767
CMYK 100, 90, 10, 77
Hex #13294B
RGB 19, 41, 75

Black
PMS Black 3
CMYK 74, 52, 71, 90
Hex #151515
RGB 21, 21, 21

White
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 0
HEX #FFFFFF
RGB 255, 255, 255

Gray
PMS Black 3 at 6%
CMYK 4, 3, 3, 0
HEX #F8F8F8
RGB 248, 248, 248

Secondary Palette

Dome Copper
PMS 8920 (metallic)
Infinity foil 62
NOTE: Use Pantone color or Infinity foil only. Not intended for digital use.

Basin Slate
PMS 5405
CMYK 68, 35, 17, 40
HEX #4F758B
RGB 79, 117, 139

Campus Sandstone
PMS 2309 at 50%
CMYK 3, 8, 11, 0
HEX #F4E8DD
RGB 244, 232, 221

Longleaf Pine
PMS 561
CMYK 84, 20, 58, 54
HEX #00594C
RGB 0, 89, 76

Azalea Pink
PMS 191
CMYK 0, 79, 36, 0
HEX #EF426F
RGB 239, 68, 111

Tile Teal
PMS 7466
CMYK 97, 0, 30, 0
HEX #00A5AD
RGB 0, 165, 173

Sunburst Yellow
PMS 109
CMYK 0 10, 100, 0
HEX #FFD100
RGB 255, 209, 0

Davie Green
PMS 382
CMYK 28, 0, 100, 0
HEX #C4D600
RGB 196, 214, 0

Web Alternative Colors

Carolina Blue is a light color and extra considerations need to be made for people who are low vision or colorblind. When used as noted below, the web alternative colors meet accessibility requirements and make our websites more inclusive.

The suggested font sizes below are based on Web Carolina Blue over a white background. Hyperlink Blue should only be used on a white background. Use the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker to test the color contrast of your chosen color combinations. For more information on the usage of University colors and accessibility, please see the guidelines and resources on the Websites page.

Web Carolina Blue
Hex #4B9CD3
RGB 75, 156, 211
NOTE: Use with font sizes larger than 24 px (or 19 px and bold).

Hyperlink Blue
Hex #007FAE
RGB 0, 127, 174
NOTE: Use on a white background only.

Guidelines for Usage

Do

  • Use at least 10% Carolina Blue on all designs.
  • Make sure to use proper color breakdowns for specific uses.
  • Use colors from the primary color palette as the main colors in a design.
  • Use colors from the secondary color palette for accents only.
  • Make sure text and background color contrast meet WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines for web and digital designs.

Don’t

  • Omit Carolina Blue on any design.
  • Eyeball or guess at a specific color.
  • Use colors from the secondary color palette as primary colors.
Postcard design that shows proper use of Carolina Blue. It contains the text "Hark the Sound" and the UNC logo on a blue background.
Postcard design that shows improper use of Carolina Blue. It shows the text "Hark the Sound" with the UNC log on a green background, without any Carolina Blue.

Contact

For more information about the University’s color palette, contact University Communications.