Plum Color Variations
The term plum describes a diverse spectrum of hues, ranging from deep, moody purples to light, airy pastels and earthy browns. Because different color systems—such as digital web standards and traditional artistic models—define colors differently, "plum" can refer to several distinct visual experiences.
Key Facts
- Crayola Plum is a deep reddish purple.
- Web Plum (Pale Plum) is a light reddish purple.
- RYB Plum is categorized as a light reddish brown.
- Persian Plum represents the color of cooked dried plums (prunes).
- The first recorded use of "prune" as a color name in English occurred in 1789.
Comparing Plum Color Standards
Depending on the source, the color plum varies significantly in saturation and brightness. These variations are defined by specific color coordinates, including Hex triplets (six-digit codes used in HTML/CSS) and sRGB (the standard red, green, blue color space for digital displays).
Crayola Plum
The Crayola version of plum is a rich, saturated shade described by the ISCC-NBS (Inter-Society Color Council-National Bureau of Standards) as a deep reddish purple. It is characterized by a Hex triplet of #843179.
Web Plum (Pale Plum)
Defined by the X11 system, the web color known as plum is significantly paler than both the Crayola version and the skin of an actual plum fruit. It is described as a light reddish purple with a Hex triplet of #DDA0DD.
RYB Plum
In the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) color system, which is traditionally used in art and painting, plum takes on a different character entirely. Rather than a purple, it is classified as a light reddish brown with a Hex triplet of #C2938D.
Persian Plum (Prune)
Persian plum, sourced from the Xona.com Color List, is a deep reddish brown. This specific shade is traditionally called prune because it represents the average color of cooked dried plums. While "prune" is the French word for plum, in English, it specifically refers to the dried fruit.
Technical Color Specifications
To ensure accuracy across different media, designers use various coordinate systems. These include HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) and CIELCh uv (a color space that describes lightness, chroma, and hue).
| Variation | Hex Triplet | sRGB (R, G, B) | ISCC-NBS Descriptor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum (Crayola) | #843179 | (132, 49, 121) | Deep reddish purple | Crayola |
| Plum (Web) | #DDA0DD | (221, 160, 221) | Light reddish purple | X11 |
| Plum (RYB) | #C2938D | (194, 147, 141) | Light reddish brown | RYB System |
| Persian Plum | #701C1C | (112, 28, 28) | Deep reddish brown | Xona.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Web Plum and Crayola Plum?
Web Plum (also called Pale Plum) is a light reddish purple (#DDA0DD), whereas Crayola Plum is a much darker, deep reddish purple (#843179).
Why is Persian Plum associated with prunes?
Persian Plum is a representation of the average color of cooked dried plums. In English, the term "prune" refers to the dried version of the plum fruit.
Is RYB Plum a purple color?
No, in the RYB color system, plum is described as a light reddish brown rather than a purple hue.
When was the word "prune" first used as a color name in English?
The first recorded use of prune as a color name in the English language was in 1789.
What is the Hex code for the most traditional "prune" color?
The Persian Plum/prune color from the Xona.com Color List has a Hex triplet of #701C1C.