Bluish-green is a color that combines the cool tones of blue with the earthy vibrancy of green. It sits somewhere between blue and green on the color wheel, evoking a sense of vibrancy yet serenity. But is bluish-green actually the same color as teal? While they may look similar, there are some key differences between bluish-green and teal. This article will examine the definitions, shades, and usages of bluish-green and teal to determine if they are in fact the same color.
Defining Bluish-Green
Bluish-green is exactly what its name implies – a color made by mixing blue and green. It incorporates the calming, cool nature of blue with the life and growth associated with green. On the RGB color wheel, bluish-green sits between cyan and green. It does not have a set ratio of blue to green, and can cover a wide range of shades from a blue-leaning turquoise to a more greenish aqua.
Some common shades of bluish-green include:
| Mint green | A pale, cool green with more blue than yellow |
| Aquamarine | A soft green-blue named after the gemstone aquamarine |
| Turquoise | A vibrant blue-green first popularized by the gemstone of the same name |
| Teal | A medium blue-green that takes its name from the colored area around a duck’s eyes |
As you can see, teal is often considered one type of bluish-green. But is it the exact same color?
Defining Teal
Teal is a specific shade of medium blue-green. The name comes from the common teal, a type of duck known for the striking teal color around its eyes. This vivid blue-green shade has long been used in art and design.
On the color wheel, teal sits between green and cyan. It has more green than a typical cyan, but more blue than a true green. While bluish-green is any shade in the blue-green range, teal is more narrowly defined.
| RGB values | R:0 G:128 B:128 |
| HEX code | #008080 |
| CMYK values | C:100 M:25 Y:25 K:0 |
These specific values define the web color teal. It is considered a “web safe” color, meaning it does not dither on older computer monitors. As a result, this shade of teal became very popular for early websites.
Besides the web teal, other shades of teal include:
| Green teal | More green than blue, like a dull turquoise |
| Blue teal | More blue than green, like a bright blue-green |
| Dark teal | A deeper, richer teal with more blue |
| Light teal | A soft, pale teal with more green |
While teal has a wider range than just the web color, most shades maintain that balance of green and blue without going too far towards one side.
Comparing Bluish-Green and Teal
Now that we have defined bluish-green and teal, how do they actually compare? Here are some key differences:
| Bluish-green | Teal |
| General term for any blue-green shade | Specific shade of medium blue-green |
| Wide range from cyan to green | Narrower range centered between blue and green |
| May lean more blue or more green | Balanced blend of blue and green |
| No set technical definition | Standard web color definition |
While teal is considered a type of bluish-green, bluish-green covers a much wider range of shades. Teal is more strictly defined as a balanced medium blue-green.
Here are some examples of how they may differ:
| Mint green | Bluish-green with more green |
| Cyan | Bluish-green with more blue |
| Teal | Balanced blend of blue and green |
Usage of Bluish-Green vs. Teal
Since bluish-green encompasses a wider range, it is used as a more generic term. It may be used when an exact shade is not specified. Teal, on the other hand, refers to a more specific shade.
Some examples include:
| Bluish-green | Teal |
| The sweater was an attractive bluish-green color | Her teal shirt perfectly matched her eyes |
| Many frogs are bluish-green as camouflage | He painted the accent wall in a vivid teal |
| The ocean turned a deep bluish-green far from shore | The client requested teal buttons on the website |
Bluish-green may be used when the specific shade is unknown. Teal is used when referring to its signature medium blue-green color.
Conclusion
In summary, while teal is considered a type of bluish-green, it is not exactly the same color. Bluish-green is a broad term covering the range of colors between blue and green. Teal specifically refers to a balanced medium blue-green. It sits in the center of the bluish-green range rather than leaning more towards blue or green.
When you want to refer to the classic digital teal shade, opt for the name “teal”. Use “bluish-green” as a more general descriptor when the exact shade is variable, unknown, or unimportant. Hopefully this clears up the distinction between these two similar color names!