Every brand needs a colour palette for its logo. Even if yours is black and white or a few shades of grey, that’s a colour palette. Brands use logo colour combinations to express who they are. Colour works at the primal level, signalling 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 colour palette.
In logo colour combinations, individual colours work together to make brands memorable. When you’re designing a logo, the colours you choose are critical to its success and by extension, your brand’s success.
Want to learn more about different types of logo colour combinations? Check out the video below or read on to find some outstanding colour combinations to inspire your logo design.
What does colour do?
Colour evokes emotions. Based on culture, traditions and even our own evolution, each colour 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.
Colours are hard workers. They tell stories, convey moods, communicate price points and connect ideas.
Aesthetically, colour can play lots of different roles in logo design. You can use colour to enhance design elements or to set a tone, you can make colour the focal point or keep it in the background.
Sometimes, using black can make the other colours in a logo pop. In other logos, black is the main event.
Colours do it all – and they do it in an instant. That’s why it’s important to explore all of your colour options and choose the right combination for your logo. Learn more about the fundamentals of colour theory here.
How many logo colours do I need?
There’s no set rule on how few colours you should use in your logo. You might only need one or two. How many colours you need depends on what your logo has to say for your brand.
Most logos use two or three distinct colours. Typically, it’s one primary colour and one or two accent colours to give the logo more dimension and put the brand’s whole personality on display.
You’ve seen great logos that only use one colour. Sometimes all you need is literally just one colour or a few different shades of the same colour. Other times, it makes sense to use a wider colour palette to tell your brand’s story visually.
What colours 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 colour combinations
Bold logo colour 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 shout with colour? Pair bright orange and boisterous red.
Blue and gold
Warm colours aren’t the only bold colours, 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 colour combination, purple and yellow, makes a great bright and colourful team.
A bright logo by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.
Red and black
As the two most attention-grabbing colours, 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 them 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 colour combination of black and yellow can look like a warning as they’re both attention-grabbing. However, in the right measures, these two colours 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 colour spectrum for a fun and offbeat feel.
Purple and orange
Purple and orange may not be colour 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 colours, 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 colours 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 colour combinations
Some brands choose colour combinations that literally look like objects, people or places. A popular way to use colours like this is to give abstract shapes a specific colour that signals what they represent to the viewer, like blue squiggles to represent water or flesh-tone coloured dots to symbolise people.
Orange, turquoise and navy
Bright reddish orange paired with shades of blue, such as turquoise and navy, is a complementary colour 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 colour 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-colour gradient of warm colours perfectly evokes sunsets, heat or fire.
Pink/red and white
The colours of candy cane feel sweet and innocent, much like the sweet they resemble. That makes pink/red and white a great logo colour combination for snack foods or brands targeting young audiences.
Peaceful logo colour combinations
Tone down brighter colours 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 emphasises the calm light of dawn. Both warm and cool colours can be part of a peaceful colour palette, where the key is to use colours 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 colour 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 colour 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 colour combination. The orange gives the logo more urgency than yellow, helping it stand out in a crowd.
Natural logo colour combinations
Capture the magic of nature with colour 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 colours.
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 colours 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 colours, 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 colours without yellow, focusing more on the flashy aspects of these colours. 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 colour combinations
Whimsical + colourful = fun. If you’re not sure if your colour scheme screams “fun,” ask yourself if you’d find those colours in a candy shop. Bright, warm, contrasting colours are loads of fun, as are neon and “unnatural” colours like pink, purple and lime green.
Green, pink and yellow
For a fun logo, green, pink and yellow go great together. Make the colour combination your own by choosing interesting shades, like a minty shade of green or a coraly shade of pink.
Logo design by bayuRIP via 99designs by Vista.
A rainbow
Typically, logos have one colour and a few accents. Well, not all logos are typical. Up your fun factor with a rainbow of colours. Just make sure you’re using the right shades and amounts of each colour so your logo isn’t overwhelming.
A colourful 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 colour 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 colour, and this bright combination keeps it front and centre. The blue and green accents balance it out for a colour 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 colour 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 colour. 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 colour combinations
If you’re in finance, law, medicine – anything where serious is a selling point – your ideal colour 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 colour. Think crimson instead of cherry, navy instead of turquoise.
Logo design by C1k via 99designs by Vista.
Blue and black
Serious colour 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 colours 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 colour theory, dark blue and light blue are considered their own distinct colours: dark blue symbolises professionalism and trust, while light blue symbolises 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 brown-and-yellow logo colour combination can be considered the “antiquity” colour scheme. With brown associated with durability and gold associated with historical luxury, this combination conjures up a feeling of a “golden age.”
Audience-based colour combinations
Sometimes, a colour palette’s job is to communicate that a brand is meant for a specific audience. Using colours tailored to that demographic can make the brand stand out from its competitors.
Primary colours
Bright, primary colours like these often signify that a brand is for kids. But that’s not always the case. They are also great colour 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 colour 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 colours to pop and stand out.
Logo design by nevergohungry via 99designs by Vista.
Blush pink, grey and yellow
Pair soft, warm colours with neutrals if you want a lighter colour 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 colour combination
Once you’ve picked a colour palette, the next choice to make is how to create a logo with it. Will one colour be the logo’s primary focus while the others give it contrast in the background? Or will each colour be represented equally, or maybe give each letter in your brand’s name its own colour or work them into a pattern? There are a lot of ways to get creative once you’ve decided on your logo colour combinations. Here are some to consider:
Gradients
Gradients are an easy way to put a whole colour palette on display. Gradients are smooth and serene. They easily fade from one colour 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 colours or it can be a rainbow, going from one bold colour 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 emphasise 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.
Colouring book
Another way to use your colour palette is to use it to colour in your logo. Pretend you’re a kid with a colouring 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 colour combinations is work, but it’s fun work. Play with colours 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 colours should be in your palette is to use our logo colour generator to match your brand identity to a logo colour scheme.
Want to learn more about logo design? Check out our article on how to design a logo.
Author: Lindsay Kramer
This article was originally published in 2019. It has been updated with new examples and information.
