Pantone TCX 16-1546 - Living Coral
Pantone TCX 16-1546 (Living Coral) is a Textile Cotton eXtended color with a HEX approximation of #FF6F61, RGB 255, 111, 97, and CMYK 0/56/62/0. It was selected by Pantone as its Color of the Year for 2019. Its closest Pantone Solid Coated match is 2345 C (Delta E 3.03), and its closest TCX neighbor is 17-1456 (Tigerlily).
About TCX 16-1546
TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended) is Pantone's color system for apparel, textiles, and home furnishings. Every TCX code follows the format XX-YYYY: the first two digits encode lightness (11 is very light, 19 is very dark) and the four digits encode hue and chroma. TCX colors are printed on cotton fabric swatches, making them the reference standard for textile production - the same substrate that the finished product will use.
Like every TCX code, 16-1546 is defined by a physical cotton swatch in Pantone's FHI Color Guide, not by a digital value. The HEX approximation #FF6F61 is the most commonly-published translation, but physical TCX swatches are the only authoritative source. The full TCX library contains more than 2,300 colors; our reference covers 50 benchmark codes that include all 27 Color of the Year picks plus 21 additional FHI benchmarks.
Closest Pantone Solid Coated match
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to TCX 16-1546 is 2345 C (#FF6D6A), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 3.03. This is a close match for a print-to-textile translation - verify against physical samples before production.
Closest TCX neighbors
These TCX codes are perceptually closest to 16-1546, sorted by Delta E 2000. Codes within the same family typically differ by Delta E 2-8 - siblings rather than duplicates.
Where TCX 16-1546 is used
TCX reds cover crimson, tomato, and deep wine tones; they are among the most-searched TCX color families because red is a classic brand and statement color for apparel. TCX 16-1546 is typically specified in brand uniforms, statement garments, accessories, and premium upholstery. Its red tone makes it appropriate wherever a bold, energetic, or attention-catching palette is wanted. Before specifying TCX 16-1546 for a production run, verify against a physical TCX color swatch under the actual lighting conditions and fabric weave that will be used - the same code looks meaningfully different across substrates and finishes.
Frequently asked questions
What is TCX 16-1546 in HEX?
Pantone TCX 16-1546 (Living Coral) has a HEX approximation of #FF6F61. This is a widely-published digital approximation - Pantone does not publish official hex values for TCX codes, since TCX is a physical fabric standard. Different published sources disagree by 2-5% for the same code. #FF6F61 is close to every commonly-cited reference.
What is the closest Pantone Solid Coated match to TCX 16-1546?
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to TCX 16-1546 is 2345 C (#FF6D6A), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 3.03. This is close given that Solid Coated and TCX are different media - but for production work you should still verify against both the physical Solid Coated chip and the physical TCX swatch.
Why was TCX 16-1546 chosen as Pantone Color of the Year 2019?
Pantone selected TCX 16-1546 (Living Coral) as its Color of the Year for 2019. Each year, the Pantone Color Institute selects a shade it believes will influence the following year across fashion, interiors, graphic design, and packaging. The 2019 pick was part of Pantone's annual COTY program, which dates to 2000. The selection is documented in Pantone press materials for that year.
What NCS/RAL/etc. codes is TCX 16-1546 close to?
TCX and NCS and RAL are different systems that do not cross-reference officially. If you need TCX 16-1546 translated to one of those systems, use our <a href="/pantone-to-ncs/" class="text-accent hover:underline">Pantone to NCS converter</a> or <a href="/pantone-to-ral/" class="text-accent hover:underline">Pantone to RAL converter</a> with the Pantone Solid Coated equivalent (2345 C) as the starting point. Remember that all cross-system matches are approximations, not production specifications.
Is TCX 16-1546 accurate enough for production use?
No. TCX codes on this site are digital approximations of the physical Pantone TCX standard, for design reference and browsing. For any production use - apparel manufacturing, upholstery, uniform sourcing - order the physical TCX swatch from Pantone (via the FHI Color Guide or Pantone Connect) and verify the color under the actual lighting conditions where the finished product will be seen. This is the only reliable approach.