Periwinkle Color Meaning | Connotations & Hex Codes

If you’re looking for a soft purple-blue for your project, you might find the color you’re searching for described as periwinkle in paint charts, sample books, or product listings—a color name that’s come back into fashion in the 2020s.

What color is periwinkle?

The color name “periwinkle” describes soft, pale shades that lie between purple and blue on the color wheel.

In the color reference book A Dictionary of Color (Maerz & Paul), published in 1930, periwinkle was defined as a purple-blue that’s slightly bluer and darker than lavender.

Today, colors described as “periwinkle” or “periwinkle blue” vary considerably across decor, fashion, cosmetics, and product design. They range from blue-leaning shades that resemble cornflower blue to more purple-leaning shades that are close to lavender.

Pantone selected a periwinkle blue called “Very Peri” as its 2022 Color of the Year. Its commonly used digital approximation, #6667AB, is close to the named CSS color “SlateBlue.”

Other commercial uses of the color name “periwinkle” illustrate the broad range of colors it’s used to describe: The online color swatch for periwinkle iPhone cases is close to the CSS color “CornflowerBlue,” while the swatch for NYX Professional Makeup’s “Periwinkle Pop” eyeliner is close to the CSS color “Thistle.”

What does periwinkle symbolize?

Periwinkle is associated with calmness, serenity, creativity, gentleness, and optimism. In branding design, you can use periwinkle to:

• Create a relaxed, approachable identity for brands related to wellness, skincare, beauty, lifestyle, or creative industries
• Convey creativity and individuality in a softer, more understated way than vivid shades of purple
• Provide a softer, friendlier alternative to stronger shades of blue or purple

In interior design, you can use periwinkle to:

• Create a restful atmosphere in bedrooms, bathrooms, reading areas, or other relaxation spaces
• Bring soft color to an otherwise neutral palette
• Create a gentle contrast with darker colors such as navy blue or charcoal gray

Periwinkle hex code

Periwinkle is not a named CSS color. A commonly used color code for “periwinkle” or “periwinkle blue” is the hex code #CCCCFF.

What colors go with periwinkle?

As a soft pastel color, periwinkle pairs well with:

• White, ivory, or cream to create a light, airy, and calming color scheme
• Navy blue or charcoal gray to add contrast and make periwinkle feel more polished and sophisticated
• Sage green or muted teal to create a fresh, balanced palette with a natural feel
• Blush pink or dusty rose for a soft, romantic, and welcoming look
• Lavender or lilac to create a gentle, harmonious palette with subtle tonal variation
• Pale yellow or muted gold to add warmth, energy, and a cheerful contrast
• Taupe, beige, or warm gray to give periwinkle a more understated, contemporary character

Color conversion

Color variations