Pantone Color of the Year 2003
The Pantone Color of the Year 2003 is Aqua Sky (14-4811). Its HEX approximation is #7BC4C4. A soft cyan-teal that evoked clear water and open air — a color of renewal and calm.
About Aqua Sky
A soft cyan-teal that evoked clear water and open air — a color of renewal and calm.
Pantone announced Aqua Sky as its Color of the Year 2003 in December 2002, following the program's annual cadence. The announcement placed the shade within the broader cultural conversation of the year — from fashion and interiors to graphics and packaging — and was accompanied by coordinated product releases from partner brands who had pre-adopted the color. Like every Pantone Color of the Year, Aqua Sky is a TCX reference (14-4811) rather than a Solid Coated (C) code, reflecting the program's textile-focused selection framework.
In practical design terms, Aqua Sky translates to a screen HEX of #7BC4C4 and a CMYK print approximation of 37/0/0/23. The precise printed result depends on paper, ink, and proof conditions. For brand-critical work that references Aqua Sky, the safest approach is to specify the 14-4811 TCX reference directly to your printer or textile supplier, and to verify with a printed proof on the target stock before committing to production.
Closest Solid Coated match
If you need to reproduce Aqua Sky with a Solid Coated (C) reference, the closest match in our catalog is 4174 C (#83C1C0), with a perceptual difference of ΔE 2000 = 1.71. This is a very close match — suitable for most print reproduction needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pantone Color of the Year 2003?
The Pantone Color of the Year 2003 is Aqua Sky (14-4811). Pantone announced it as the shade that its Color of the Year Committee believed would best reflect the cultural mood and design trends of 2003. Its HEX approximation is #7BC4C4.
What is the HEX code for Aqua Sky?
Aqua Sky is a Pantone TCX reference (14-4811), not a HEX color. Its closest screen approximation is #7BC4C4 in the sRGB color space, with RGB channels 123, 196, 196 and CMYK print approximation 37/0/0/23. These values are approximations and should not be treated as authoritative — the Pantone code is the actual specification.
What Pantone Solid Coated code is closest to Aqua Sky?
The closest match in our Solid Coated catalog to Aqua Sky (14-4811) is 4174 C at #83C1C0, with a perceptual difference of approximately ΔE 2000 = 1.71. This is a very close match and is likely suitable for print reproduction.
How do I use Aqua Sky in my design?
For digital design, use the HEX value #7BC4C4 — it will render correctly across browsers. For print design, specify the Pantone TCX reference 14-4811 to your printer, or convert to the closest Solid Coated (C) code (4174 C). For textile and fashion applications, the TCX code itself is the standard — no conversion is necessary if your manufacturer works with Pantone textile references.