44 logo color combinations to inspire your next logo design

Every brand needs a color palette for its logo. Even if yours is black and white or a few shades of gray, that’s a color palette. Brands use logo color combinations to express who they are. Color works at the primal level, signaling specific emotions in the viewer’s brain. Before anybody even takes a closer look at the logo or hears the name of your business, they’ll deduce who you are and what you do all based on your logo’s color palette.

In logo color combinations, individual colors work together to make brands memorable. When you’re designing a logo, the colors you choose are critical to its success and by extension, your brand’s success.

Want to learn more about different types of logo color combinations? Check out the video below or read on to find some outstanding color combinations to inspire your logo design.

What does color do?

Color evokes emotions. Based on culture, traditions and even our own evolution, each color has deep-rooted psychological associations. For example, yellow evokes friendliness, while brown is more rugged and natural.

Logo design by green in blue via 99designs by Vista.

Colors are hard workers. They tell stories, convey moods, communicate price points and connect ideas.

Aesthetically, color can play lots of different roles in logo design. You can use color to enhance design elements or to set a tone, you can make color the focal point or keep it in the background.

Sometimes, using black can make the other colors in a logo pop. In other logos, black is the main event.

Colors do it all—and they do it in an instant. That’s why it’s important to explore all of your color options and choose the right combination for your logo. Learn more about the fundamentals of color theory here.

How many logo colors do I need?

There’s no set rule on how few colors you should use in your logo. You might only need one or two. How many colors you need depends on what your logo has to say for your brand.

Most logos use two or three distinct colors. Typically, it’s one primary color and one or two accent colors to give the logo more dimension and put the brand’s whole personality on display.

You’ve seen great logos that only use one color. Sometimes all you need is literally just one color or a few different shades of the same color. Other times, it makes sense to use a wider color palette to tell your brand’s story visually.

What colors go well together for a logo?

• Bold combinations (like red and blue, or black and yellow)
• “Look alike” combinations (like natural green and brown)
• Peaceful combinations (like green, yellow and orange)
• Natural  combinations (like blue, green and tan)
• Fun combinations (like rainbow, or pink and turquoise)
• Serious combinations (like black and white with accents)
• Audience-based combinations (like blush pink, grey and yellow)

Here are 44 inspiring logo color combinations

Bold logo color combinations

Highly-saturated hues are the best way to add energy and life to your logo design and build the perfect bold brand.

Red, orange and black

There’s a reason why red is so popular for sports team logos—it’s full of energy! Wanna yell with color? Pair bright orange and boisterous red.

Blue and gold

Warm colors aren’t the only bold colors, though. A high-contrast logo is often a bold one, like a logo that pits a bright gold against ice blue.

Purple and yellow

Another complementary color combination, purple and yellow, makes a great bright and colorful team.

A bright logo by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.

Red and black

As the two most attention-grabbing colors, red and black together make a serious impact. While not for light-hearted brands, this combination suits the boldest of the bold.

Red, black and white

If red and black alone are too severe, adding white can complement and make your logo feel more accessible. You still get the gravity and urgency of a red-and-black combination, but with a nice accent to highlight each and make the logo less imposing.

Logo design by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.

Black and yellow

The color combination of black and yellow can look like a warning as they’re both attention-grabbing. However, in the right measures, these two colors can draw out each other’s strengths to help your logo get noticed.

Logo design by Renata S 99designs by Vista.

Red and blue

Fire and ice, warm and cold—the red-and-blue combination joins both sides of the color spectrum for an fun and offbeat feel.

Purple and orange

Purple and orange may not be color opposites exactly, but they’re close enough to make an alluring contrast that’s hard to miss.

Logo design by Cross the Lime via 99designs by Vista.

Pink and yellow

Pink and yellow are both attention-grabbing colors, and pair well with each other since they’re not far on the spectrum. This is a good choice for when you want your brand to be bold and playful—these colors are not as serious as the other bold choices but get noticed just the same.

Logo design by Birdmetry Studio via 99designs by Vista.

“Look alike” logo color combinations

Some brands choose color combinations that literally look like objects, people or places. A popular way to use colors like this is to give abstract shapes a specific color that signals what they represent to the viewer like blue squiggles to represent water or flesh-tone colored dots to symbolize people.

Orange, turquoise and navy

Bright reddish orange paired with shades of blue, such as turquoise and navy, is a complementary color combination that’s sure to stand out. It instantly evokes memories of the sea and sunsets and feels simultaneously warm and refreshing.

Natural green and brown

A literal color combination can also be used to communicate what a brand does when its name doesn’t make that clear, which is why you see so many green garden and landscaping logos.

A minimal and natural logo design by Leehaa via 99designs by Vista.

Orange, yellow and red

This vibrant, tri-color gradient of warm colors perfectly evokes sunsets, heat or fire.

Pink/red and white

The colors of candy canes feel sweet and innocent like candy should. That makes pink/red and white a great logo color combination for snack foods or brands targeting young audiences.

Peaceful logo color combinations

Tone down brighter colors by adding white to a pure hue, creating a subdued, pastel variation known as a tint. Greys and blues work great, too.

Navy blue and light pink

This combination emphasizes the calm light of dawn. Both warm and cool colors can be part of a peaceful color palette, where the key is to use colors that blend together, rather than high contrast.

Logo design by Moxie Mason via 99designs by Vista.

Shades of green and blue

Combining different shades of green and blue in your logo has a calming, soothing effect and works great for brands that want to put their clients at ease.

Logo design by casign via 99designs by Vista.

Light purple and beige

Purples are the perfect picture of serenity. If you’re searching for the perfect main color to build a peaceful palette around, you can’t go wrong with purple.

Logo design by MonGE Designs via 99designs by Vista.

Green, yellow and orange

Green and yellow sit right in the middle of the color spectrum, making them a good combination for brands that want the best of both worlds, such as businesses targeting a wide range of consumers.

While not as complementary as green and yellow, green and orange together still work as a gentle and all-inclusive color combination. The orange gives the logo more urgency than yellow, helping it stand out in a crowd.

Natural logo color combinations

Capture the magic of nature with color schemes that evoke the beauty of Earth. Forest- and garden-inspired earth tones work great, but don’t be afraid to explore beyond! For example, a combination of burnt sienna and yellow can create a hot desert-inspired nature palette, and dark blue with shades of silver and white can feel like a trek across the Arctic Circle. If you want your logo to feel like a specific natural setting, grab a photo of that setting and choose its most prominent colors.

Traditional earth tones

Untraditional earth tones

Earthy doesn’t have to be boring! Try working less “traditional” earth tones into your logo. Pinks, reds and yellows can strike that balance between dynamic and down-to-earth.

Logo design by thisisremedy via 99designs by Vista.

Blue, green and tan

Tip your hat to clear skies and crystal oceans by bringing cool blues into your logo. Pair it with green for a perfect combination.

Logo design by nevergohungry via 99designs by Vista.

Brown and black

Nothing says rustic like brown and black. These natural colors suggest sturdiness and dependability, perfect for old brands (or new brands that want a vintage, old look and feel).

Logo design by Dusan Sol via 99designs by Vista.

Yellow and orange

Without red, the remaining warm colors, yellow and orange, seem a lot friendlier and a little more relaxed. This combination conjures up ideas of sunny days.

Logo design by Hermeneutic ® via 99designs by Vista.

Orange and red

As an alternative to yellow and orange, the orange-and-red combination uses warm colors without yellow, focusing more on the flashy aspects of these colors. The combination of fire may not be as relaxing as yellow and orange, but its seriousness gets it noticed.

Logo design by Doris Gray via 99designs by Vista.

Fun logo color combinations

Whimsical + colorful = fun. If you’re not sure if your color scheme screams “fun,” ask yourself if you’d find those colors in a candy shop. Bright, warm, contrasting colors are loads of fun, as are neon and “unnatural” colors like pink, purple and lime green.

Green, pink and yellow

For a fun logo, green, pink and yellow go great together. Make the color combination your own by choosing interesting shades, like a minty shade of green or a coral-y shade of pink.

Logo design by bayuRIP via 99designs by Vista.

A rainbow

Typically, logos have one color and a few accents. Well, not all logos are typical. Up your fun factor with a rainbow of colors. Just make sure you’re using the right shades and amounts of each color so your logo isn’t overwhelming.

A colorful rainbow logo by The Bluebird via 99designs by Vista.

Red and green

With its combination of high-powered energy and natural calmness, red and green complement each other to create a fun, carefree vibe.

Pink and turquoise

Pink and turquoise make the ultimate fun logo color combination. Choose this pairing if you’re aiming for bold, bright and fun.

Logo by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.

Blue, green and yellow

Yellow is the ultimate fun color, and this bright combination keeps it front and center. The blue and green accents balance it out for a color scheme that’s fun, natural and trustworthy.

Logo by Cross the Lime via 99designs by Vista.

Purple and pink

Purple and pink complement each other well, as they’re right next to each other on the color spectrum. A purple and pink logo combines the fun and youthfulness of pink with the more mysterious atmosphere of purple.

Logo design by Ševarika™ via 99designs by Vista.

Blue and orange

While the contrast isn’t as stark as with blue and gold, the blue-and-orange combination is still an attention-grabber, but with a more fun and inviting air.

Logo design by ludibes via 99designs by Vista.

Green and purple

Green and purple may not seem like they’d go together, but something about it works—just ask an eggplant! The green tempers purple’s divisiveness, making it more accessible without losing its deep undertones.

Red and turquoise

Like pink and turquoise, red and turquoise pair well for a fun logo color. The advantage of using red instead of pink gives the logo more magnetism and makes it seem a little more serious.

Logo design by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.

Pink, yellow, and black

Pink and yellow together seem like a light-hearted and cute combination, but when you add black the mix becomes a little more grounded—not to mention more memorable.

Logo design by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.

Serious logo color combinations

If you’re in finance, law, medicine—anything where serious is a selling point—your ideal color scheme is one that uses neutrals and deep shades that communicate how seriously viewers should take your brand.

Black and white with accents

And when in doubt, black is always seriously in style. Add dark accents for a splash of color. Think crimson instead of cherry, navy instead of turquoise.

Logo design by C1k via 99designs by Vista.

Blue and black

Serious color schemes are bold, but they’re more of a confident bold than an in-your-face bold. This mix of blue and black evokes a dynamic, trusted brand personality.

Logo design by FDS™ via 99designs by Vista.

Brown, beige and black

Brown and beige tones have a distinctly vintage feel, which gives your logo instant credibility. Use different shades to add depth and detail.

Logo design by widakk via 99designs by Vista.

Grey, tan and gold

This combination of three muted colors brings to mind elevated, upscale, professional services. Together with the hard lines of the shapes, you’ve got a logo with a subtly serious tone.

Logo design by Fancy Bee via 99designs by Vista.

Dark blue and light blue

In color theory, dark blue and light blue are considered their own distinct colors: dark blue symbolizes professionalism and trust, while light blue symbolizes friendliness and welcome. Put them together, and you get a trustworthy logo that takes care of business but still has time to make new friends.

Logo design by Frankyyy99 via 99designs by Vista.

Brown and gold/yellow

The brown-and-gold or -yellow logo color combination can be considered the “antiquity” color scheme. With brown associated with durability and gold associated with historical luxury, this combination conjures up a feeling of a “golden age.”

Audience-based color combinations

Sometimes, a color palette’s job is to communicate that a brand is meant for a specific audience. Using colors tailored to that demographic can make the brand stand out from its competitors.

Primary colors

Bright, primary colors like these often signify that a brand is for kids. But that’s not always the case. They are also great color options that will make your logo stand out.

Logo design by KreatanK via 99designs by Vista.

 

Logo design by kostis Pavlou via 99designs by Vista.

Pink and blue

Soft pastels are typically a go-to color scheme for baby products. But they can be used for a more light-hearted, elegant and fun logo too.

Navy, white and yellow

Pair navy with yellow and white for a sporty, dynamic feel. The navy is a great base for brighter colors to pop and stand out.

Logo design by nevergohungry via 99designs by Vista.

Blush pink, grey and yellow

Pair soft, warm colors with neutrals if you want a lighter color combination. Blush pink and sunny yellow go well with grey for a playful yet elegant look.

Logo design by ananana14 via 99designs by Vista.

Pink, purple and blue

Deep purple and bright pink resonates with certain people more than others, so if you find your audience attracted to them this could be a smart combination. Scant highlights of blue add a natural complement.

Logo design by Fi2 Design via 99designs by Vista.

Creative ways to use your logo color combination

Once you’ve picked a color palette, the next choice to make is how to create a logo with it. Will one color be the logo’s primary focus while the others give it contrast in the background? Or will each color be represented equally, or maybe give each letter in your brand’s name its own color or work them into a pattern? There are a lot of ways to get creative once you’ve decided on your logo color combinations. Here are some to consider:

Gradients

Gradients are an easy way to put a whole color palette on display. Gradients are smooth and serene. They easily fade from one color to the next, creating beautiful in-between shades as they move through a palette. Your gradient logo could be subtle, moving between two fairly close colors or it can be a rainbow, going from one bold color to another and meeting plenty of others along the way.

Logo design by Subqi Std via 99designs by Vista.

Geometry

When you use a geometric pattern in your logo, you get the opportunity to emphasize your brand persona further by choosing shapes that fit. We cover shape psychology in more detail in our brand identity guide, but here’s the quick version: round shapes like circles and ovals tend to feel warmer, friendlier and more forgiving, while straight lines and sharp angles feel strong, efficient and serious.

Logo design by Ade G via 99designs by Vista.

Coloring book

Another way to use your color palette is to use it to color in your logo. Pretend you’re a kid with a coloring book and your palette is your crayon set. You’ve only got a couple of crayons to work with, so you gotta use them creatively to bring your logo to life.

Logo design by ananana14 via 99designs by Vista.

Now get scheming!

Choosing logo color combinations is work, but it’s fun work. Play with colors and combinations to find the ideal palette and don’t be afraid to look for inspiration from other brands in your industry or to ask for feedback. One effective way to figure out which colors should be in your palette is to use our logo color generator to match your brand identity to a logo color scheme.

Want to learn more about logo design? Check out our article on how to design a logo.

 

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Author: Lindsay Kramer

This article was originally published in 2019. It has been updated with new examples and information.