RAL and NCS values are nearest equivalents, not official designations.
In ancient Rome, Tyrian Purple symbolized imperial authority, reserved for emperors and high-ranking officials. Conversely, in some Eastern cultures, it represents spirituality and enlightenment, showcasing its dual significance across different contexts.
Tyrian Purple was first produced around 1500 BCE by the Phoenicians, who mastered the dyeing process using the Murex snail. A single ounce of this dye could cost as much as a slave in ancient Rome, reflecting its status as a luxury item among the elite.
Ranked by CIE76 ΔE — the perceptual distance from Tyrian Purple. Lower ΔE means a closer match (below ~2 is barely distinguishable).
All 31 Purples →Nine steps of Tyrian Purple by lightness — from #35011F (darkest) to #AF7B9A (lightest). Click any to copy.
Sitting opposite Tyrian Purple at 145° on the color wheel, these give the highest-contrast pairings.
Curated 5-color combinations featuring Tyrian Purple.
Brands and institutions known for using Tyrian Purple.
A 50–900 tonal scale with Tyrian Purple anchored at 500 — ready to drop into a design system. Click any step to copy.
Works well as text on light backgrounds; fails on dark.
Thresholds: AA needs 4.5:1 (normal text) / 3:1 (large); AAA needs 7:1 / 4.5:1. Large = 18pt+ or 14pt+ bold.
Copy-ready values for CSS, screen and print, plus the extra conversions designers reach for.
color: #66023C; color-mix(in srgb, #66023C 70%, white) 325°, 98%, 40% 0, 98, 41, 60 6685244 #660033 How Tyrian Purple appears to viewers with the three main types of color blindness (~1 in 12 men, 1 in 200 women). Simulated approximations.