Zero is ideal black and 100 is ideal white. This value suggests a deep color on an sRGB display.
DIGITAL REFERENCE · COATED
Pantone®
Black 3 C
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 Black 3 C on screen.
Pantone Black 3 C is shown here as the sRGB simulation #212721. The suffix C identifies the coated graphics reference. Its nearest generic process conversion is C15 M0 Y15 K85.
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 Black 3 C at L* 14.87, a* -4.18, and b* 3.07. In plain language, this screen simulation is deep, close to neutral, and balanced between warm and cool. Its calculated chroma is approximately 5. These descriptions help compare the digital reference with neighboring colors; they are not names assigned by Pantone.
A negative value indicates a green direction.
A positive value indicates a yellow direction.
HEX, RGB, CMYK, and LAB serve different jobs
#212721 is the compact HEX form of the RGB values 33, 39, 33. 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—C15 M0 Y15 K85—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 Black 3 U#595D59
Coated versus uncoated
The related uncoated reference is simulated as #595D59. 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 Black 3 U →How to use Pantone Black 3 C in a project
- Keep the full reference.Write Pantone Black 3 C, including the C suffix, in the brief and artwork notes.
- Use #212721 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 Black 3 C?
The independent sRGB simulation used on this page is #212721. It is intended for screen previews and is not an official Pantone production specification.
What RGB values approximate Pantone Black 3 C?
This reference uses RGB 33, 39, 33 in the sRGB color space.
Can I print Pantone Black 3 C with CMYK 15, 0, 15, 85?
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 C suffix mean?
C identifies the coated paper version in the Pantone graphics system. Keep the suffix when communicating the reference.