Article
Colour Codes to Keep Handy
A designer’s HEX and RGB reference, and the method we use when a Melbourne website needs a palette that converts, not a rainbow.
Colour codes are infinite. A website only needs a handful that work together under real light: bone text on ink, one accent that means “act”, and a metallic support that never fights it. This sheet keeps the named HEX and RGB values handy. Below it is how we actually pick a palette on a Melbourne website design build.
Named colours, HEX, and RGB
| Colour name | HEX | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Red | #FF0000 | RGB(255, 0, 0) |
| Green | #00FF00 | RGB(0, 255, 0) |
| Blue | #0000FF | RGB(0, 0, 255) |
| Yellow | #FFFF00 | RGB(255, 255, 0) |
| Cyan | #00FFFF | RGB(0, 255, 255) |
| Magenta | #FF00FF | RGB(255, 0, 255) |
| Black | #000000 | RGB(0, 0, 0) |
| White | #FFFFFF | RGB(255, 255, 255) |
| Grey | #808080 | RGB(128, 128, 128) |
| Orange | #FFA500 | RGB(255, 165, 0) |
| Purple | #800080 | RGB(128, 0, 128) |
| Brown | #A52A2A | RGB(165, 42, 42) |
| Pink | #FFC0CB | RGB(255, 192, 203) |
| Lime | #00FF00 | RGB(0, 255, 0) |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | RGB(75, 0, 130) |
| Violet | #EE82EE | RGB(238, 130, 238) |
| Gold | #FFD700 | RGB(255, 215, 0) |
| Beige | #F5F5DC | RGB(245, 245, 220) |
| Coral | #FF7F50 | RGB(255, 127, 80) |
| Navy | #000080 | RGB(0, 0, 128) |
| Teal | #008080 | RGB(0, 128, 128) |
| Silver | #C0C0C0 | RGB(192, 192, 192) |
| Plum | #DDA0DD | RGB(221, 160, 221) |
| Olive | #808000 | RGB(128, 128, 0) |
| Maroon | #800000 | RGB(128, 0, 0) |
| Peach | #FFDAB9 | RGB(255, 218, 185) |
| Lavender | #E6E6FA | RGB(230, 230, 250) |
| Turquoise | #40E0D0 | RGB(64, 224, 208) |
| Tan | #D2B48C | RGB(210, 180, 140) |
| Aqua | #00FFFF | RGB(0, 255, 255) |
How we pick a brand palette
Named swatches are a starting point. A live site needs contrast that passes, an accent used for one job (enquire, book, buy), and a support colour that never competes with that job. On AL Phesda Interactive work that is ink, bone, ember, and brass. Your brand will differ. The method does not.
- Canvas and text first. If body copy fails contrast, no accent will save the page.
- One action colour. Buttons, focus rings, and “you are here” signals share one hue. A second accent is support, not a second CTA.
- Test on a real layout. A swatch in a table is not a hero. We proof colour on the actual type, photos, and motion before lock-in. That is part of brand identity on every website design package.
If you are rebuilding a site and the old palette is fighting the offer, start with the identity stage, not a new template. See also why motion and play convert once colour is settled.
Colour codes FAQs
HEX or RGB for a website?
HEX in stylesheets. RGB when you are mixing in design tools or documenting print-adjacent work. Both describe the same colour; pick one notation per file and stay consistent.
How many colours should a small-business site use?
Four is plenty: background, text, one accent, one support. More than that usually means the brand is undecided, and visitors feel it.
Can you set a palette as part of a website build?
Yes. Fonts, colour, and voice are the first stage of our website packages, approved before we design a page. Request a Discovery Session and we will map what you already have against what the offer needs.
Do you work outside Melbourne?
Yes. We are Melbourne-based and deliver Australia-wide and internationally. Same process, same packages.