Crayola crayons have been a staple of children’s creativity for generations. The iconic boxes contain a rainbow of colorful options to spark artistic inspiration. Crayola currently offers 120 different crayon colors in their largest box set. With so many hues to choose from, it can be hard to keep track of all the available shades.
History of Crayola Crayons
Crayola (formerly Binney & Smith) first introduced their crayons in 1903 with just 8 basic colors. Over the years, the company continued expanding their color palette, reaching up to 64 colors by 1958. In 1976, they released their largest offering yet with a 96-count box for the U.S. Bicentennial. This became their standard large box that most consumers are familiar with today.
In 1990, Crayola released a new 120-count box to celebrate their 90th anniversary. The new “Anniversary Collection” contained retired and unique crayon colors not found in other boxes. It also showcased crayon history with trivia printed inside the box lid. This milestone 120-count box marked their largest assortment of crayon colors at the time.
There have been some adjustments to the 120-count lineup over the years. Colors have been both added and retired, keeping the total shade count steady at 120. Crayola has also changed box designs and renamed the set a few times. But the 120-count variety remains their supreme offering for bold and brilliant coloring creativity.
Breakdown of Colors
The 120 crayons represent a spectrum of distinct hues spanning all color families. Here is a breakdown of how many crayons fall under each classification:
| Reds | 12 |
| Oranges | 8 |
| Yellows | 14 |
| Greens | 13 |
| Blues | 13 |
| Purples | 10 |
| Pinks | 7 |
| Neutrals | 9 |
| Metallics | 8 |
| Multicolors | 16 |
As shown, reds, yellows, and blues make up the most crayons with 12-14 per category. Greens and purples are also well represented. There are fewer pink, neutral, and metallic shades. The “Multicolors” grouping contains crayons with two or more distinct hues swirled together.
Notable Color Names
In addition to representing the full color spectrum, the 120 crayons have some fun and creative names. Here are some of the catchier and more memorable color labels:
- Outer Space
- Laser Lemon
- Wild Watermelon
- Neon Carrot
- Atomic Tangerine
- Shocking Pink
- Vivid Violet
- Fuzzy Wuzzy
- Jazzberry Jam
- Mountain Meadow
- Robin’s Egg Blue
- Tickle Me Pink
- Mango Tango
- Tropical Rain Forest
- Purple Mountains’ Majesty
- Timberwolf
- Shadow
- Shamrock
The descriptive color names add a whimsical element to the crayon assortment. They help spark the imagination and evoke a sense of playfulness for children. Names like “Wild Watermelon,” “Laser Lemon,” “Tickle Me Pink,” and “Jazzberry Jam” are intrinsically fun to say and remember.
The Recent Changes
While the 120-count box has remained steady over the years, Crayola did make a few modifications to the lineup in 2020. They replaced some existing colors and added brand new shades. Here are the new crayons that joined the ranks:
- Cerulean – A deep sky blue
- Vivid Tangerine – A bright orange
- Golden Ochre – A tan shade
- Purple Heart – A reddish purple
- Sunglow – A vibrant yellow
- Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown – A light brown tone
These new colors help fill in some gaps in the spectrum and add fresh crayon options. At the same time, Crayola retired the following colors from the lineup:
- Blizzard Blue
- Magic Mint
- Mulberry
- Violet Red
- Dandelion
- Teal Blue
While it’s sad to see some classic colors go, the new additions help keep the 120-count box relevant. Crayola has mastered the art of updating their offerings while maintaining the nostalgia and appeal of their iconic crayon boxes.
The Full 120 Crayon Names List
Here is the complete rundown of all 120 crayon names currently included in the biggest Crayola box:
| Black | Tropical Rain Forest | Purple Heart |
| Brown | Fern | Wisteria |
| Gray | Asparagus | Violet |
| White | Granny Smith Apple | Plum |
| Red Orange | Spring Green | Vivid Violet |
| Scarlet | Green Yellow | Royal Purple |
| Vermillion | Yellow Green | Wild Strawberry |
| Coral | Magic Mint | Cerise |
| Salmon | Pine Green | Pink Flamingo |
| Sky Blue | Forest Green | Magenta |
| Pink | Sea Green | Violet Red |
| Apricot | Shamrock | Fuchsia |
| Gold | Mountain Meadow | Purple Pizzazz |
| Neon Carrot | Olive Green | Hot Magenta |
| Dandelion | Timberwolf | Radical Red |
| Macaroni and Cheese | Gray | Wild Watermelon |
| Canary | Blue Gray | Violet Blue |
| Sunglow | Slate Gray | Ultra Pink |
| Goldenrod | Outer Space | Jazzberry Jam |
| Inchworm | Silver | Eggplant |
| Laser Lemon | Antique Brass | Cerulean |
| Unmellow Yellow | Gold | Robin’s Egg Blue |
| Electric Lime | Copper | Turquoise Blue |
| Lime | Shadow | Sea Green |
| Spring Frost | Cornflower | Blue Green |
| Neon Green | Wisteria | Denim |
| Forest Green | Violet | Cadet Blue |
| Asparagus | Plum | Periwinkle |
| Clover | Vivid Violet | Blue |
| Pine Green | Royal Purple | Navy Blue |
| Garden Green | Wild Strawberry | Starry Night |
| Shamrock | Cerise | Outer Space |
| Mountain Meadow | Pink Flamingo | Amethyst |
| Jungle Green | Magenta | Royal Purple |
| Olive Green | Fuchsia | Eggplant |
| Tropical Rain Forest | Purple Pizzazz | Cerulean |
With options spanning every color of the rainbow, it’s no wonder the 120-count box remains Crayola’s gold standard for creative coloring. The variety allows kids to mix, match, blend, and dream in every hue imaginable.
Conclusion
Crayola’s 120-pack contains a kaleidoscope of colorful crayon choices. The history of Crayola’s biggest box dates back to 1990 with their 90th anniversary release. While adjustments have been made over the decades, 120 crayons remains their largest and most comprehensive assortment.
The wide spectrum includes 12-14 crayons in popular hues like reds, yellows, and blues. Fun descriptive names like “Wild Watermelon” and “Laser Lemon” add to the appeal. Recent updates provide fresh new options while retiring a few classic colors.
With a stunning span of pigments and creative monikers, it’s easy to see why the 120-count box delivers endless coloring fun and imagination. Exploring all those different shades is a rainbow adventure for aspiring artists.