NCS S 1080-R20B - Crimson
NCS S 1080-R20B (Crimson) is an NCS color with a HEX approximation of #FF0040, RGB 255, 0, 64, and CMYK 0/100/75/0. It has 10% blackness and 80% chromaticness with hue R20B. Its closest Pantone Solid Coated match is 1787 C (Delta E 2.72), and its closest NCS neighbor is S 2050-R30B (Deep Rose).
About NCS S 1080-R20B
NCS S 1080-R20B is part of the Natural Color System, a perceptual color notation system developed in Sweden and widely used across Scandinavia and Northern Europe for architectural paint specifications. The code reads as: S (Standard) · 10% blackness · 80% chromaticness · hue R20B.
Like every NCS code, S 1080-R20B is defined by a physical paint swatch in the NCS Color Atlas, not by a digital value. The HEX approximation #FF0040 is the most commonly-published translation, but physical NCS swatches are the only authoritative source. The full NCS Atlas contains roughly 1,950 codes; our reference covers 50 benchmark codes.
Closest Pantone match
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to NCS S 1080-R20B is 1787 C (#F4364C), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 2.72. This is a very close match suitable for most print reproduction needs.
Closest NCS neighbors
These NCS codes are perceptually closest to S 1080-R20B, sorted by Delta E 2000. Codes within the same family differ by Delta E 2-8 typically - siblings rather than duplicates.
Where NCS S 1080-R20B is used
NCS S 1080-R20B is typically specified in Nordic falu-red buildings, fire equipment, emergency signage, and high-visibility elements. Its red tone makes it appropriate wherever a high-visibility, safety-critical, or attention-catching palette is wanted. Before specifying NCS S 1080-R20B for a production run, verify the color against a physical NCS color fan under the actual lighting conditions and finish (matte, semi-gloss, gloss) that will be used - the same code looks meaningfully different across finishes.
Frequently asked questions
What is NCS S 1080-R20B in HEX?
NCS S 1080-R20B (Crimson) has a HEX approximation of #FF0040. This is the widely-published mid-range value - NCS is a perceptual color notation system, not a digital one, so any HEX representation is a translation rather than a definition. Different published sources disagree by 2-5% for the same NCS code; #FF0040 is close to every commonly-cited reference.
What does NCS S 1080-R20B mean?
The code breaks down as: S (Standard), 10% blackness, 80% chromaticness, hue R20B. Blackness measures how much black the color contains relative to pure white (0%) and pure black (100%). Chromaticness measures how saturated the color is relative to a neutral gray at the same blackness. Hue R20B specifies the position on the NCS perceptual color wheel - with Y for yellow, R for red, B for blue, G for green, or N for neutral.
What Pantone color is closest to NCS S 1080-R20B?
The closest Pantone Solid Coated match to NCS S 1080-R20B is 1787 C (#F4364C), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 2.72. This is a very close match and is likely suitable for print reproduction.
What NCS color is closest to NCS S 1080-R20B?
The closest NCS neighbors to S 1080-R20B are S 2050-R30B (Deep Rose, Delta E 7.1), S 1080-R (Pure Red, Delta E 11.0), S 1080-Y70R (Orange Red, Delta E 15.5). Codes within the same family typically differ by Delta E 2-8 - siblings rather than duplicates.
Where is NCS S 1080-R20B commonly used?
NCS S 1080-R20B is typically used in Nordic falu-red buildings, fire equipment, emergency signage, and high-visibility elements. Its red tone makes it appropriate wherever a high-visibility, safety-critical, or attention-catching palette is wanted. Before specifying NCS S 1080-R20B for a production run, verify against a physical NCS color fan - the same code looks meaningfully different in different finishes.