Teal is a bluish-green color that falls somewhere between green and blue on the color spectrum. The exact definition of teal is subjective, but in general it is considered to be a darker, duller shade of cyan. Determining whether teal is closer to green or blue depends on the specific shade and personal perception.
The Origins of the Color Teal
The name “teal” originated from the common teal, a member of the duck family that has greenish-blue feathers. The first recorded use of “teal” as a color name in English was in 1917. It was one of the many new colors introduced into the English language and commercialized starting in the early 20th century as industrial chemistry advanced and allowed the creation of new synthetic dyes.
Before teal was recognized as a distinct color name, shades ranging between blue and green were often called simply “green” or “blue”, or described as “bluish-green”. The introduction of the specific name “teal” helped define this in-between color more precisely.
Defining Teal
There are a few ways teal is defined as a distinct color:
On the color wheel: Teal is located between blue and green on the color wheel. The hue angle for teal is between 160-180° in the HSV or HSL color models used in color pickers and image editing software.
Hex color codes: In hex code, teal colors have RGB values ranging from (0,128,128) to (0,255,255). Low red values combined with medium-high blue and green values places teal close to cyan, but slightly greener.
Paint company definitions: Paint brands like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin-Moore designate specific formulas as “Teal” in their collections. Sherwin-Williams SW 6244 Naval, for example, is a very dark teal with RGB values of (0,87,102).
X11 color names: In the standard X11 colors used on web pages, “teal” is defined as RGB (0,128,128).
So while there is some variability, teal tends to be characterized by stronger green than blue. It sits closer to green on the spectrum.
Is Teal Closer to Green or Blue?
There are a few reasons why teal is generally considered more green than blue:
Hue: As mentioned above, teal’s hue angle is between 160-180°, much closer to the 120° hue of green than the 240° hue of blue.
RGB values: The RGB values used to create teal almost always have a higher green value than blue value. Green intensity is higher.
How the eye sees color: The human eye is more sensitive to green light than blue light. So even with equal RGB values, teal will appear more green than blue to our eyes.
Common phrase: The phrase “blue-green” is used more commonly than “green-blue” to describe colors in the teal range. This suggests blue comes first, with green shifting the color.
Similarity to other green shades: Darker teals resemble forest green more than any blue shade. Lighter teals hew closer to mint green than turquoise.
Examples of Teal Color Shades
Here are some examples of teal colors at various points along the spectrum from green to blue:
| Color Name | Hex Code | RGB Values | Closer to… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Teal | #54FFCE | (84,255,206) | Green |
| Medium Teal | #008080 | (0,128,128) | Green |
| Dark Teal | #005470 | (0,84,112) | Blue |
| Teal Blue | #01889F | (1,136,159) | Blue |
This shows that lighter, brighter teals tend to skew closer to green, while darker teals have more blue. But overall teal leans toward the green side.
Psychological Effects of Teal
The balance between blue and green gives teal some unique psychological effects:
– Balancing: Teal is associated with equilibrium and stability because it strikes a middle ground between warm green and cool blue.
– Soothing: As a less intense color, teal has relaxing and stress-reducing qualities. It is often described as smooth and sophisticated.
– Healing: The balance and tranquility of teal is said to have healing or spiritual properties in color therapy.
– Creativity: The unconventional nature of teal inspires creative freedom and clarity.
So teal has mental and emotional impacts from both its green and blue pedigree. This distinguishes it from colors at the extremes of the color spectrum.
Uses of the Color Teal
Some common uses and associations of teal across history and cultures include:
– Nature: Teal is found in many birds, reptiles, insects, and aquatic life, like peacocks, frogs, dragonflies, and teal ducks.
– Mythology: In Ancient Greece, teal represented the elemental sea god Poseidon and the goddess Artemis.
– Geographic sites: Teal features prominently in the mineral turquoise found in Iran, Sinai, and the American Southwest.
– Ceramics: Chinese pottery and porcelain often uses teal designs and accents.
– Arts: Impressionist and postmodern painters like Monet and Picasso used teal for its lush, creative qualities.
– Interior design: Teal makes for a soothing, elegant accent color in decor and paint choices.
– Corporate branding: Companies like PayPal, Panera Bread, and Anthropologie incorporate teal into their logos and visual identities.
So teal has a rich symbolic history and a versatile place in modern color palettes across many applications.
Teal vs. Other Color Names
How does teal compare to some other shades in the blue-green range?
Teal vs. Turquoise
– Turquoise contains more blue than teal and has a higher hue value between 180-220°.
Teal vs. Aqua
– Aqua is lighter and brighter, closer to cyan. Teal is darker and more muted.
Teal vs. Seafoam
– Seafoam is a pale, soft green-blue. Teal is richer and more saturated.
Teal vs. Emerald
– Emerald is a gem-like shade of green with no blue. Teal combines blue into emerald’s hue.
Teal vs. Mint
– Mint is purely a light-medium green. Teal introduces blue tones into mint’s green.
So teal occupies a unique place between these other colors – more green than turquoise and aqua, less green than emerald and mint.
Conclusion
In summary, teal is fundamentally closer to green than blue due to its hue angle, RGB balance, and how we perceive color. Darker teals lean closer to blue, while brighter teals skew toward green. But overall, the color teal falls on the green side of the spectrum more than the blue side. It mixes blue into a primarily green palette to create a tranquil, balanced shade. Understanding where teal sits between green and blue helps designers carefully choose teal to evoke certain moods and styles.