Khaki colour: characteristics, colour codes, shades and mixing tips

Khaki is an earthy shade that falls between yellow-brown and green-brown on the colour spectrum. It was originally used for military uniforms as it blends well into the natural environment, making it harder to see when worn. The name itself comes from the Persian word 'khak', meaning dust or powder. In the 1840s, British soldiers began using this colour to provide better concealment in the field.

Nowadays, khaki is not only used for military purposes, but has also become popular in fashion and home decoration. In the clothing industry, it is a particularly popular choice for trousers, jackets and other garments. In interior design, khaki is a colour that conveys a sense of calm and naturalness, often used in combination with earthy colours and floral motifs to create a harmonious and balanced environment.

RGB and HEX codes for the colour khaki

The RGB code for the khaki colour is (195, 176, 145) and the HEX code is #C3B091.

Colour scheme	Code/Weights
Hex	#F0E68C
RGB	rgb(240, 230, 140)
HSL	hsl(54, 77%, 75%)
HSV/HSB	hsv(54, 42%, 94%)
CMYK	cmyk(0%, 4%, 42%, 6%)
Contrasting colour	#0F1733
Complementary colour	#8C9AF0

Dark and light shades of khaki

Click on the colour codes below to copy them to the clipboard.

Dark shades

Light shades

Khaki complementary colour palettes

Khaki is a neutral shade that blends perfectly into a range of colour palettes, including complementary, analogue, monochrome, triad, tetrad, split complementary and neutral. This colour is versatile in a variety of designs and projects.

Complementary palette

Analogue palette

Monochrome palette

Triad palette

Tetrade palette

Split complementary palette

Neutral palette

What is the colour of khaki?

The colour khaki is a light brownish-greenish shade often used for military uniforms. The shade evokes the colours of the earth and nature, blending in well with the surroundings.

What is the colour of khaki?

The hue of the khaki colour depends on a number of factors, including the ingredients of the dye used, the type of fabric used, and the angle and quality of the lighting. In addition, the original colour scales that define different shades, such as light and dark khaki, also affect the appearance of this colour.

How is the khaki colour colour mixing possible?

To mix the khaki colour, use a combination of several colours. First mix yellow and black paint to get a greenish tint. Then add some red or orange to achieve a brownish tint. Fine tune the mixture by adding small amounts of white or grey until you get the desired khaki colour.