Colors That Start With U: Names, Hex Codes & Unique Shades
Colors that start with U run small, but they carry real weight. Ultramarine alone has centuries of art history behind it. Umber has been used since prehistoric cave paintings. Together, colors that start with U cover deep blues, warm browns, and a handful of institutional shades tied to real universities and government branches.
This list only includes names with a real, checkable source. That means CSS-adjacent references, Crayola’s official naming, Pantone’s own Color of the Year picks, and long-documented pigment history. Every hex code here was checked against at least two sources before it made the list.
That checking mattered a lot for this letter. Some sites claim 129 or more with U. Most of those names came from a single source, with no second reference to confirm the hex code. A few, like different versions of “UCLA Gold,” directly contradicted each other. Rather than guess, this guide left those out. Nineteen survived real cross-checking, and every one is backed by a source you can verify yourself.
Quick Answer: Standout U Colors
Short on time? Here are eight standout colors that start with U. Ultramarine (#3F00FF) is a deep, vivid blue with roots in centuries of fine art. Umber (#635147) offers a warm, earthy brown used since prehistoric times. Ultraviolet (#645394) carries real weight as Pantone’s official 2018 Color of the Year.
Ube (#8878C3) delivers a soft purple named after a beloved purple yam. UFO Green (#3CD070) offers a bright, playful green from the Crayola lineup. United Nations Blue (#5B92E5) provides a calm, official blue tied to real diplomatic branding. Unbleached Silk (#FFDDCA) rounds out the neutral end with a warm, peachy off-white. Upsdell Red (#AE2029) finishes the list with a bold, formal red. Each of these earns its spot through genuine, documented use.
What U Colors Mean and Evoke
Color names carry emotional weight, and colors that start with U split into two clear moods. Ultramarine and its close relatives suggest depth and richness, tied to a pigment once so expensive that painters reserved it only for the most important parts of a painting. Umber, by contrast, suggests warmth and grounding, evoking earth and stability rather than luxury.
Ultraviolet carries a different kind of weight entirely. Chosen as Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2018, it was described as suggesting mindfulness and imagination, a color meant to inspire rather than simply decorate. Ube leans playful and comforting, borrowed from a purple yam widely loved in Filipino desserts, so the color itself often reads as sweet and inviting.
United Nations Blue and the various university colors in this group, like UCLA Blue, both carry institutional trust. These aren’t colors chosen for emotional impact so much as colors locked into place by decades of consistent branding, meant to feel stable and recognizable rather than expressive.
Color Families: Where U Colors Belong
Blues
Ultramarine, Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Blue (Caran d’Ache), United Nations Blue, UCLA Blue, Uranian Blue, and US Air Force Blue anchor this large family within colors that start with U. Ultramarine stays the boldest and most saturated, while Uranian Blue pales considerably, closer to a soft sky tone. UCLA Blue and US Air Force Blue both lean formal, tied to specific institutions rather than general use.
Purples
Ultra Violet and Ube cover this smaller family. Ultra Violet reads bold and modern, tied to its Pantone recognition, while Ube stays softer and more playful, borrowed directly from the yam’s natural color.
Pinks and Reds
Ultra Pink, Ultra Red, UP Maroon, and Upsdell Red make up this warm family among colors that start with U. Ultra Pink runs bright and electric, while UP Maroon and Upsdell Red both stay deep and formal, closer to traditional institutional reds than anything playful.
Browns and Neutrals
Umber and Unbleached Silk round out this family. Umber stays deep and earthy, one of the oldest pigments still used today, while Unbleached Silk stays pale and warm, closer to a soft neutral than a bold statement color.
Yellows and Greens
Unmellow Yellow, Urobilin, and UFO Green cover the remaining families among colors that start with U. Unmellow Yellow runs bright and playful, Urobilin leans more golden and muted, and UFO Green stands alone as the only true green in this entire letter group.
Oranges
University of Tennessee Orange stands by itself in this family, a bold, saturated orange locked firmly into place by decades of consistent university branding.
Design & Branding Favorites
Certain colors that start with U show up constantly in real branding work. Ultramarine and United Nations Blue both appear in formal, trustworthy branding where depth matters more than energy. UCLA Blue and US Air Force Blue function as fixed institutional colors, rarely changed once locked into official use. Umber remains a steady choice wherever a brand needs warmth without brightness.
Below is a quick reference for how four colors that start with U typically get used in real design work. Notice how the formal, institutional entries lean toward trust and stability, while Ube leans toward something friendlier and more playful.
| Color | Hex | Typical Use |
| Ultramarine | #3F00FF | Fine art, bold formal branding |
| United Nations Blue | #5B92E5 | Diplomatic, institutional branding |
| Umber | #635147 | Warm, earthy neutral branding |
| Ube | #8878C3 | Playful, food-inspired branding |
Ultramarine and Umber pair surprisingly well together, since one carries boldness and the other grounds it. United Nations Blue works best as a standalone anchor color, rarely mixed with more than one supporting neutral.
Fashion & Beauty Shades
Fashion draws on a small set of colors that start with U, but a few names show up reliably. Ultra Violet crossed over from Pantone’s Color of the Year announcement straight into fashion collections in 2018, appearing across clothing and cosmetics that year specifically because of the recognition. Ube has also found a genuine home in beauty branding, since its soft purple pairs naturally with food-inspired cosmetics lines.
Unbleached Silk deserves a mention here too, since its warm, peachy off-white works well as a base tone in bridal and formalwear fabric. Its softness sets it apart from a bolder entry like Ultra Pink, which almost never appears in the same understated product category.
Nature-Inspired Names
A few colors that start with U borrow directly from the natural world. Ube takes its name and tone from the purple yam, one of the more literal food-to-color connections in this entire letter group. Umber connects to earth itself, originally derived from natural clay containing iron and manganese oxides.
Urobilin carries a stranger, more biological nature connection, named after a compound found in the body that contributes to natural pigment coloring. UFO Green, despite its playful name, still nods loosely to bright, glowing plant life rather than anything purely invented.
Rare or Unusual U Colors
Some colors that start with U rarely surface outside specialist circles, but each has a real story behind it. Umber holds the deepest history of any color in this letter group, used by humans since prehistoric cave paintings, making it one of the very first pigments people ever intentionally applied. Urobilin carries a genuinely unusual origin, named after a pigment compound found in the human body rather than anything in nature or art history.
Ultramarine Blue (Caran d’Ache) stands apart for a different reason, tied to a specific Swiss art supply brand rather than a general color-naming tradition. Uranian Blue closes out this group with an astronomical connection, its name borrowed from the planet Uranus during a period when color names often looked to the sky for inspiration. Each of these colors that start with U shows that “obscure” usually means “historically specific,” not invented.
- Umber (#635147) — used by humans since prehistoric cave paintings
- Urobilin (#E1AD21) — named after a pigment compound found in the human body
- Ultramarine Blue (Caran d’Ache) (#2111EF) — tied to a specific Swiss art supply brand
- Uranian Blue (#AFDBF5) — named after the planet Uranus
These four sit at the edge of common knowledge, but each one has a stable, checkable source. That’s what separates a genuinely rare color name from a vague one that different sites define inconsistently.
Colors Easily Confused With Each Other
A few pairs among colors that start with U trip people up constantly. Ultramarine and Ultramarine Blue share a root name but read differently, since plain Ultramarine runs more purple-leaning while Ultramarine Blue stays closer to a true, balanced blue. UP Maroon and Upsdell Red also cause confusion, since both are deep, formal reds, but Upsdell Red carries noticeably more brightness and less brown.
Ultra Pink and Ultra Violet get mixed up occasionally too, despite sitting in different color families entirely, simply because both share the “Ultra” prefix and a sense of boldness. UCLA Blue and United Nations Blue can also blur together, though UCLA Blue runs darker and more muted compared to the brighter, more approachable United Nations Blue.
The table below lines up the clearest pairs directly so the difference is easy to see at a glance. Pay attention to the RGB numbers, not just the names, since two colors that start with U can look nearly identical in a small swatch but read differently once scaled up.
| Color A | Hex A | Color B | Hex B | Key Difference |
| Ultramarine | #3F00FF | Ultramarine Blue | #4166F5 | Ultramarine Blue is more balanced, less purple |
| UP Maroon | #7B1113 | Upsdell Red | #AE2029 | Upsdell Red is brighter, less brown |
| UCLA Blue | #2774AE | United Nations Blue | #5B92E5 | United Nations Blue is brighter, more approachable |
| Ultra Pink | #FF6FFF | Ultra Red | #FC6C85 | Ultra Red leans more coral, less purple |
Ultramarine versus Ultramarine Blue is the pair most likely to confuse someone shopping for art supplies, since both names describe closely related but genuinely different shades. UP Maroon versus Upsdell Red matters most for anyone doing formal or institutional branding, since the wrong choice can shift a design from muted and traditional to noticeably bolder.
Master Alphabetical List of U Colors
This list of colors that start with U includes Crayola-official names, Pantone’s own Color of the Year selection, documented institutional brand colors, and long-established traditional pigment names. Every entry below is verified against its cited source, though minor variation can exist across informal color-naming sites, particularly within the closely related Ultramarine family.
- Ube — #8878C3
- UCLA Blue — #2774AE
- UFO Green — #3CD070
- Ultra Pink — #FF6FFF
- Ultra Red — #FC6C85
- Ultra Violet — #645394
- Ultramarine — #3F00FF
- Ultramarine Blue — #4166F5
- Ultramarine Blue (Caran d’Ache) — #2111EF
- Umber — #635147
- Unbleached Silk — #FFDDCA
- United Nations Blue — #5B92E5
- University of Tennessee Orange — #FF8200
- Unmellow Yellow — #FFFF66
- UP Maroon — #7B1113
- Upsdell Red — #AE2029
- Uranian Blue — #AFDBF5
- Urobilin — #E1AD21
- US Air Force Blue — #00308F
Notice how many of these colors that start with U trace back to a specific institution, brand, or documented historical pigment, rather than a purely descriptive name. That pattern is stronger here than in many other letters, likely because so few purely visual color words happen to start with U.
Hex/RGB Crosswalk: Why Exact Codes Matter
A color name alone isn’t enough for real design work, even among colors that start with U. Two designers using “ultramarine” without a hex code might land on two noticeably different shades of blue-purple. That’s why any serious project needs the exact hex or RGB value locked in before production starts.
Hex codes matter most for web and app design, since browsers read hex values directly. RGB values matter more for video, screen graphics, and design software that calculates color mathematically. The table below gives both formats for five of the most frequently searched colors that start with U, so you can copy whichever your tool requires.
| Color | Hex | RGB |
| Ultramarine | #3F00FF | 63, 0, 255 |
| Umber | #635147 | 99, 81, 71 |
| Ultra Violet | #645394 | 100, 83, 148 |
| Ube | #8878C3 | 136, 120, 195 |
| United Nations Blue | #5B92E5 | 91, 146, 229 |
Ultramarine’s RGB values show a low red channel paired with zero green and a maxed-out blue, which is exactly what gives it that deep, purple-leaning intensity. Umber, by contrast, keeps all three channels moderate and close together, producing its flat, earthy warmth instead of anything bright or saturated.
Full Comparison Table: All 19 U Colors
This table brings every color that starts with U together with hex, RGB, color family, and common use. Use the family column to quickly find colors that will sit well together in a single palette, and use the common use column to match a color that starts with U to your actual project type.
| Color | Hex | RGB | Family | Common Use |
| Ube | #8878C3 | 136, 120, 195 | Purple | Playful, food-inspired branding |
| UCLA Blue | #2774AE | 39, 116, 174 | Blue | University, sports branding |
| UFO Green | #3CD070 | 60, 208, 112 | Green | Playful crayon-toned accent |
| Ultra Pink | #FF6FFF | 255, 111, 255 | Pink | Bold electric accent |
| Ultra Red | #FC6C85 | 252, 108, 133 | Pink/Red | Warm coral accent |
| Ultra Violet | #645394 | 100, 83, 148 | Purple | Creative, mindful branding |
| Ultramarine | #3F00FF | 63, 0, 255 | Blue | Fine art, bold formal branding |
| Ultramarine Blue | #4166F5 | 65, 102, 245 | Blue | Balanced formal branding |
| Ultramarine Blue (Caran d’Ache) | #2111EF | 33, 17, 239 | Blue | Fine art supply reference |
| Umber | #635147 | 99, 81, 71 | Brown | Warm, earthy neutral branding |
| Unbleached Silk | #FFDDCA | 255, 221, 202 | Neutral | Bridal, formalwear base tone |
| United Nations Blue | #5B92E5 | 91, 146, 229 | Blue | Diplomatic, institutional branding |
| University of Tennessee Orange | #FF8200 | 255, 130, 0 | Orange | University, sports branding |
| Unmellow Yellow | #FFFF66 | 255, 255, 102 | Yellow | Bright playful accent |
| UP Maroon | #7B1113 | 123, 17, 19 | Red | Formal institutional accent |
| Upsdell Red | #AE2029 | 174, 32, 41 | Red | Bold formal accent |
| Uranian Blue | #AFDBF5 | 175, 219, 245 | Blue | Soft, airy background |
| Urobilin | #E1AD21 | 225, 173, 33 | Yellow | Muted golden accent |
| US Air Force Blue | #00308F | 0, 48, 143 | Blue | Military, institutional branding |
A few rows deserve a second look. The three Ultramarine variants together show how much a single root name can shift depending on the source, from the bold, purple-leaning standard to the more balanced Caran d’Ache version. Ube stands out as the only entry among colors that start with U with a direct, literal food origin. UP Maroon and Upsdell Red both prove that even closely related institutional reds can carry meaningfully different hex codes once compared directly.
Decision-Flow Table: Picking the Right U Color
Choosing between nineteen distinct names gets easier with a clear project goal in mind. The table below matches common use cases to a recommended color that starts with U, so you can skip the guesswork and go straight to a shade that fits the job.
| If you need… | Pick this color | Why |
| A bold, formal fine-art brand | Ultramarine | Deep, rich, centuries of art history |
| A trustworthy institutional identity | United Nations Blue or UCLA Blue | Established, stable, widely recognized |
| A warm, grounded neutral | Umber | One of the oldest, most reliable pigments |
| A playful, food-inspired brand | Ube | Friendly, distinctive, memorable |
| A creative or mindful design project | Ultra Violet | Genuine Pantone Color of the Year recognition |
| A soft, airy background tone | Uranian Blue | Pale, calm, unobtrusive |
| A bold sports or university brand | University of Tennessee Orange | Energetic, established, team-specific |
Use this table as a starting point rather than a final answer. A palette built entirely around Ultramarine, for instance, often benefits from a neutral like Unbleached Silk alongside it to soften the overall intensity. Pair the recommended color that starts with U with a calmer neutral from the comparison table above for a balanced result.
Conclusion
Colors that start with U run smaller than most letters, but the range still stretches from the ancient depth of Umber to the modern recognition of Ultra Violet. This list sticks to 19 verified names with real hex and RGB codes, so nothing here is guesswork or padding. Whether you’re building a brand, exploring color history, or just curious, these colors that start with U give you a solid, checkable starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors actually start with the letter U?
This guide covers 19 verified colors that start with U, each cross-checked against at least two independent sources. Larger lists claiming 129 or more usually rely on single-source names with no second reference to confirm the hex code.
What are the most well-known colors that start with U?
Ultramarine, Umber, Ultra Violet, Ube, and United Nations Blue are among the most recognized. Each has a documented hex code confirmed across multiple sources.
What color is Umber exactly?
Umber is a warm, earthy brown with the hex code #635147, one of the oldest pigments in human history, used since prehistoric cave paintings.
Why was Ultra Violet named Pantone’s Color of the Year?
Pantone selected Ultra Violet, hex #645394, as its 2018 Color of the Year, describing it as a color that suggests mindfulness and imagination rather than simply decoration.
What is Ube named after?
Ube, hex #8878C3, is named directly after the purple yam widely used in Filipino desserts, making it one of the few colors that start with U with a literal food origin.
What’s the difference between Ultramarine and Ultramarine Blue?
Ultramarine, hex #3F00FF, leans more purple, while Ultramarine Blue, hex #4166F5, stays closer to a balanced, true blue. Both come from the same general pigment family but are documented as separate shades.
Is UCLA Blue a real, standardized color?
Yes. UCLA Blue, hex #2774AE, comes directly from UCLA’s official brand guidelines, making it a fixed institutional color rather than a general design choice.
What does Urobilin refer to as a color name?
Urobilin, hex #E1AD21, is named after a pigment compound found in the human body, giving it one of the more unusual biological origins.