Visual Identity
Colors
The University of Maryland's primary brand colors are red, white, black and gold. Inspired by the Maryland state flag, these colors reflect our role as Maryland's flagship university. While the university’s four colors are all core to its visual identity, red is used most prominently to distinguish the institution.
Primary Colors
Hex: #e21833
RGB: 227/25/51
CMYK: 0/100/84/4
PMS: 186
Maryland Red
Hex: #ffd200
RGB: 255/210/0
CMYK: 0/16/100/0
PMS: 116
Maryland Gold
Hex: #ffffff
RGB: 255/255/255
CMYK: 0/0/0/0
White
Hex: #000000
RGB: 0/0/0
CMYK: 0/0/0/100
PMS: Black 6
Black
Secondary Colors
Our secondary colors provide neutral contrast and flexibility while allowing the primary palette to remain visually dominant.
Hex: #454545
RGB: 69/69/69
CMYK: 0/0/0/75
PMS: Cool Gray 11
Dark Gray
Hex: #7f7f7f
RGB: 128/128/128
CMYK: 0/0/0/50
PMS: Cool Gray 8
Medium Gray
Hex: #e6e6e6
RGB: 230/230/230
CMYK: 0/0/0/10
PMS: Cool Gray 1
Light Gray
Color Swatches
To use the Maryland color swatches in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, download and install ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange) files.
Color Spaces
RGB (red, green, blue) colors are used for screen applications: web, email, video; they represent the values of the three types of pixels that make up all colors in a screen or monitor. The value of each of the pixels can range from 0 to 255.
CMYK colors are used for print applications; they represent the four inks used to create all colors for printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. K, for black, means "key" color and is added to the other three to produce rich shadows and contrast. Otherwise, CMY together produces a dark grayish brown. The values of each of the ink densities can range from 0 to 100%.
PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors are used for specialty print applications—T-shirts, banners, tchotchkes, etc.—especially when printing large blocks of solid color. Using one or two PMS colors instead of CMYK can also reduce printing cost (depending on the project). The UMD logo in full color uses three PMS colors to print.
A hex code is used in digital or web design to specify a specific color.
Contrast
To meet current accessibility standards, use only approved color combinations.