Mauve

What color is mauve?

Mauve is a soft and subtle color that straddles the line between pink and violet on the color wheel, leaning towards a cooler, pastel tone. In color theory, it beautifully balances the warmth of red with the tranquility of blue, creating a light, inviting hue. This shade of mauve evokes a sense of serenity and refined elegance, making it ideal for designs that aim to convey a modern yet nostalgic feel.

What does mauve look like on digital screens?

Mauve is defined by the following color codes and values to ensure consistency across various digital platforms and devices.

- HEX code: #E0AFFF

- RGB value: 87.8% red, 68.6% green and 100% blue

Accessibility considerations play a crucial role in UX and UI design color choices. Figma offers plugins in the Community to make sure your designs meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

How should I effectively use mauve in UI design?

Here are some strategic ways to incorporate mauve into your UI designs:

• Create a soothing atmosphere. Mauve's calming hue makes it excellent for applications promoting relaxation and tranquility. Use it in health and wellness apps, meditation platforms, or any UI where reducing user stress is a priority.
• Convey elegance and sophistication. Thanks to its historical associations with royalty and luxury, mauve is ideal for luxury retail apps, high-end service platforms, or any user interface that caters to a premium market.
• Create gender-neutral appeal. Mauve's subdued tone and versatility make it a good choice for designs that aim to be inclusive.
• Consider backgrounds and typography. Mauve provides a soft background that can make content stand out, especially when paired with contrasting colors like deep greens, navy, or warm earth tones. It's also an excellent choice for typography that must be legible and visually interesting.

Keep in mind that color and its meaning can change from culture to culture—and at any given time. If you are designing for a global audience, research color considerations for your specific regions.

What are similar colors to mauve?

For variations within the same delicate and soft spectrum as mauve, consider:

• Bright lavender (#E6E6FA) is similar as it shares the light purple hue with a more pronounced blue undertone, making it subtly distinct yet comparable.
• Thistle (#D8BFD8) is closer on the spectrum to mauve, offering a lighter purple with a gentle grayish tone that resonates with mauve's softness.
• Orchid (#DA70D6) provides a slightly brighter and more vivid purple that retains the femininity and gentleness of mauve.
• Lilac (#A47DAB) is akin to mauve with its light purple appearance that exudes a similar soft and calming energy.

What colors go with mauve?

To complement mauve's understated elegance, consider pairing it with:

• Sage green (#B2C495) harmonizes with mauve due to its muted green tone that complements the soft purple without overpowering it.
• Cream (#FDFBD4) is an excellent choice as it provides a warm, soft background that enhances mauve's subtlety.
• Charcoal gray (#4A4A4A) offers a strong contrast that grounds the airiness of mauve, providing a sophisticated palette.
• Silver (#C4C4C4) matches well with mauve by adding a modern, chic feel to the delicate purple.
• Pale blue (#AFEEEE) creates a serene and soothing combination, echoing the gentle nature of mauve.

Other colors worth considering include deep navy to provide a bold contrast, soft peach for a romantic feel, and mint green for a refreshing touch.

What colors conflict with mauve?

While mauve is versatile, it may clash with:

• Bright orange (#FFA500) competes with mauve by overpowering its subtle tones with a bold, aggressive presence.
• Dark brown (#654321) can dull the softness of mauve, creating a drab look when combined.
• Neon green (#2CFF05) often conflicts with the understated nature of mauve, resulting in a jarring and discordant visual.
• Red (#FF2C2C) can overshadow the delicate nuances of mauve, making the palette feel unbalanced and overly vivid.
• Black (#252525) might be too harsh against mauve, overshadowing its gentle appeal and making the combination feel heavy.

What does mauve symbolize?

Mauve symbolizes uniqueness and creativity—the soft nature of mauve hints at a sense of mystery and thoughtfulness. Mauve also carries connotations of refinement and luxury.

In color psychology, mauve is recognized for its calming and nurturing qualities. Its gentle presence can promote peace and emotional balance, evoking the serene ambiance of a twilight sky.

For UI/UX design, mauve’s associations can create welcoming and secure experiences. It can be a great choice for backgrounds or accents, creating a calming and sophisticated atmosphere. Mauve can enhance readability by balancing the visual impact of bolder colors.

What’s the history of mauve?

Mauve was the first synthetic dye discovered accidentally by the British chemist William Perkin in 1856. Perkin was attempting to create a cure for malaria but instead synthesized aniline purple, which he later called "mauveine." This discovery marked the beginning of the chemical dye industry, dramatically changing the fashion world, making vibrant colors more accessible and affordable than the expensive natural dyes previously used.

Mauve's big break came in 1862 when Queen Victoria wore a mauve silk gown to a major exhibition. Mauve became all the rage in Victorian England, a symbol of status and style for the elite. This period of intense popularity was called "mauve mania."

As other synthetic dyes were developed, the novelty of mauve faded, but it has remained a popular choice in fashion and design for its versatility and elegant appearance.

Color variations

Shades

Tints

Tones

Hues

Color Harmonies

Custom Palettes

Accessibility: Contrast Checker

Color simulations

Protanopia

Deuteranopia

Tritanopia

Achromatopsia

Color conversion

The hexadecimal color #E0AFFF, known as mauve, has RGB values of R:224, G:175, B:255 and CMYK values of C:0.12, M:0.31, Y:0, K:0.