Zero is ideal black and 100 is ideal white. This value suggests a deep color on an sRGB display.
DIGITAL REFERENCE · UNCOATED
Pantone®
540 U
Independent digital simulationThis page is not an official Pantone specification. Pantone® is a registered trademark of Pantone LLC.Check Pantone’s Color Finder ↗
ABOUT THIS REFERENCE
Pantone 540 U on screen.
Pantone 540 U is shown here as the sRGB simulation #3F526F. The suffix U identifies the uncoated graphics reference. Its nearest generic process conversion is C43 M26 Y0 K56.
These values help with mockups, UI handoff, and color discovery. They do not reproduce the spectral behavior of a physical spot ink, and the CMYK recipe is not an official separation.
Before production: verify the color in a current physical Pantone publication, use licensed digital data where required, and approve a proof on the intended material.
READING THE COLOR
Deep, close to neutral,
and digitally approximate.
The derived CIELAB coordinates put Pantone 540 U at L* 34.48, a* 0.97, and b* -18.97. In plain language, this screen simulation is deep, close to neutral, and cooler, with a blue direction. Its calculated chroma is approximately 19. These descriptions help compare the digital reference with neighboring colors; they are not names assigned by Pantone.
The value sits close to the neutral red–green axis.
A negative value indicates a blue direction.
HEX, RGB, CMYK, and LAB serve different jobs
#3F526F is the compact HEX form of the RGB values 63, 82, 111. Both describe the same sRGB screen simulation and are appropriate for web comps, interface tokens, presentations, and other emitted-light previews. They do not encode the spectral data or ink formulation of a physical Pantone standard.
The displayed CMYK value—C43 M26 Y0 K56—is calculated from that sRGB simulation without an ICC output profile. Real process separations depend on press condition, paper, ink, black generation, and total ink limit. The LAB value is derived from sRGB under standard assumptions and is useful for comparisons inside this site; do not substitute it for licensed measured data when a specification requires official values.
OTHER PAPER FINISHPantone 540 C#003057
Uncoated versus coated
The related coated reference is simulated as #003057. C and U are separate entries because paper finish changes the way ink color is perceived. Do not remove the suffix or assume the two versions share identical production values.
Compare Pantone 540 C →How to use Pantone 540 U in a project
- Keep the full reference.Write Pantone 540 U, including the U suffix, in the brief and artwork notes.
- Use #3F526F for previews.Apply the HEX or RGB simulation when a browser or screen mockup needs an approximate visual.
- Decide spot or process.Ask whether the job will use a dedicated spot ink or reproduce the appearance through process inks.
- Set the production condition.Confirm the stock, coating, print method, color profile, and viewing light with the supplier.
- Approve physical output.Compare a current official standard and an appropriate proof or production sample before sign-off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HEX approximation for Pantone 540 U?
The independent sRGB simulation used on this page is #3F526F. It is intended for screen previews and is not an official Pantone production specification.
What RGB values approximate Pantone 540 U?
This reference uses RGB 63, 82, 111 in the sRGB color space.
Can I print Pantone 540 U with CMYK 43, 26, 0, 56?
Those CMYK percentages are a generic, profile-free estimate derived from the screen value. Ask the printer for the correct separation or specify the verified spot ink.
What does the U suffix mean?
U identifies the uncoated paper version in the Pantone graphics system. Keep the suffix when communicating the reference.