What are websafe colors?

Websafe colors are a set of 216 colors that were historically guaranteed to display consistently across different computers and browsers in the early days of the web. They are created by combining RGB values using only the numbers 0, 51, 102, 153, 204, and 255.

Are websafe colors still relevant today?

While modern displays can show millions of colors, websafe colors remain useful for ensuring color consistency across devices, creating retro designs, or optimizing for older systems. They can also serve as a reliable base palette for web design.

How are websafe colors calculated?

Websafe colors use RGB values in increments of 51 (20% of 255), giving six possible values for each channel: 0, 51, 102, 153, 204, and 255. This creates 6³ = 216 unique color combinations that were safe to use across all systems.

Should I use websafe colors in modern web design?

While not strictly necessary for modern web design, websafe colors can be useful for creating color schemes with guaranteed cross-browser compatibility. They're also helpful for retro-style designs or when targeting older devices.

Websafe Colors Reference | Color and Design Tools

Explore the complete set of 216 websafe colors, understand their historical significance, and learn how to use them effectively in modern web design. This comprehensive reference includes color values, combinations, and best practices.

Understanding Websafe Colors

Historical Context

Websafe colors emerged during the early days of the World Wide Web when:

Most computers could only display 256 colors
Different operating systems had varying color palettes
Browser compatibility was a major concern
Color consistency was crucial for branding
Display technology was limited

Technical Details

The websafe color palette is constructed using these principles:

RGB values use 51-step increments (20% of 255)
Each channel has 6 possible values
Total combination: 6 × 6 × 6 = 216 colors
Values: 00, 33, 66, 99, CC, FF in hexadecimal
Values: 0, 51, 102, 153, 204, 255 in decimal

Modern Relevance

Websafe colors remain useful in modern web design for:

Cross-device compatibility
Retro and vintage designs
Base color palette creation
Optimizing for older systems
Ensuring color consistency

Color Theory Basics

RGB Color Model

Understanding RGB values in websafe colors:

Red (R): Controls red intensity (0-255)
Green (G): Controls green intensity (0-255)
Blue (B): Controls blue intensity (0-255)
Values increment by 51
Creates predictable color steps

Hexadecimal Notation

Websafe colors in hexadecimal format:

#000000 to #FFFFFF range
Two digits per color channel
Values: 00, 33, 66, 99, CC, FF
Easy to identify websafe values
Common in CSS and design tools

Design Applications

Color Schemes

Creating color schemes with websafe colors:

Monochromatic variations
Complementary pairs
Analogous combinations
Triadic arrangements
Split-complementary schemes

Practical Uses

Modern applications for websafe colors:

Background colors
Text and typography
UI elements and buttons
Border and accent colors
Icon and logo design

Best Practices

Color Selection

Tips for choosing websafe colors:

Consider contrast ratios
Test color combinations
Maintain visual hierarchy
Ensure readability
Check accessibility standards

Implementation

Guidelines for using websafe colors:

Use consistent notation
Document color choices
Create color variables
Plan for dark mode
Consider color meaning

Browser Support

Modern Browsers

Color support in current browsers:

Full RGB color support
Alpha channel support
Color space handling
CSS color functions
Color interpolation

Legacy Support

Considerations for older systems:

Color palette limitations
Dithering effects
Display variations
Browser differences
Fallback strategies

Websafe Colors Reference

Color Grid

Filters

Color Details