Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? While everyone has different opinions on colors, most people can acknowledge the difference between aesthetically pleasing shades and “ugly” ones. Almost all colors can shine in certain contexts, but there are some that are hardly ever appealing.
Below are 16 colors that are often considered the ugliest. Some may have negative associations, while others are gross in specific contexts, and some just look unappealing overall!
If you adore any of these colors, there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s safe to say that most people probably won’t agree with you. Then again, every color is likely gross or ugly to someone, so it’s all a matter of preference and perception.
1. Pantone 448 C
Pantone 448 C
Hex: #4A412A
RGB: 74, 65, 42
Pantone 448 C is nicknamed the ugliest color in the world, so it only makes sense that it would be at the top of this list. It’s sometimes called “opaque couché” or “drab dark brown.” Researchers found that this color could make items less appealing or make people worry about potential risks. When looking at this shade, people think of “dirty,” “tar,” and even “death.”
While this color rarely appears in a positive light, that doesn’t mean it’s all bad. In 2012, the Australian government used this color’s effects to its advantage. It became the color of warnings on tobacco products to deter people from buying them. Since people find this color so unappealing, tobacco sales seem to decrease when this shade is on the packaging.
2. Humorous Green
Humorous Green
Hex: #C6B836
RGB: 198, 184, 54
Humorous Green is a Sherwin-Williams paint color, so you can use it to paint the walls of your home. Yet, most people won’t have a positive reaction when seeing a room of this color. It’s a bold yellow-green that can be overwhelming when used in large quantities. Plus, this color resembles several gross bodily fluids, which could be what many people think of when they see it. While that may sound as humorous as its funny color name, it’s probably not what you want people to think of when they enter your room.
3. Puke Green
Puke Green
Hex: #9AAE07
RGB: 154, 174, 7
Puke Green is unappealing for similar reasons to Humorous Green. However, with a name like Puke, this color isn’t even trying to hide what it reminds people of. While green is often a beloved color, puke green is a greener version of humorous green, making people think of yellow-green bodily fluids. This exact type of green is rarely used because even if you like it, it quickly becomes ugly once you hear what it’s called.
4. Puce
Puce
Hex: #CC8899
RGB: 204, 136, 153
Puce is typically described as a pale pink or a light purple/brown color. Therefore, it doesn’t sound like it would be an ugly color, but it’s a distinct shade that doesn’t pair well with many other colors. On top of that, people are often off-put by this unusual color’s name. It seems a little too close to “puke,” but the real meaning is even worse. Puce means “flea” in French, so puce is similar to the bloodstain caused by squished fleas. Of course, no one wants a color that reminds them of fleas in their home decor.
5. Caca D’Oie
Caca D’Oie
Hex: #CDCD0D
RGB: 205, 205, 13
Caca D’Oie is another pukey yellow-green color that most people naturally don’t have positive associations with. Not only does it look gross, but it’s very bright, so it’s difficult to use it in a design without it overpowering everything. As if the color wasn’t unappealing enough on its own, the name is a French term referring to goose feces. Hearing that while looking at the color is enough to make many people feel sick.
6. Goose Turd Green
Goose Turd Green
Hex: #4EA809
RGB: 78, 168, 9
One color named after goose feces is plenty, but in addition to Caca D’Oie, there’s also Goose Turd Green. There are several different types of green called Goose Turd Green, but all of them look like a fairly normal green at first glance. This one certainly isn’t a preferred green since it lacks the brightness of popular green and doesn’t have the calmness of dark greens. Yet, it’s a fairly tolerable color until you hear the name. Then, it’s hard to look at it again without feeling uncomfortable.
7. Chartreuse
Chartreuse
Hex: #DFFF00
RGB: 223, 255, 0
Chartreuse is an unusual color name because most people have no idea what to picture when they hear it. Just based on the name, a neon yellow-green probably isn’t what first comes to mind. It’s one of the brightest colors out there, so if it’s in a room, it’s the first thing your eyes are drawn to. Bright isn’t always bad, but since yellow-green is often associated with gross things, it’s the worst color to make a blinding version of. It’s safe to say that most people would prefer to avoid this color whenever possible.
8. Raw Umber
Raw Umber
Hex: #826644
RGB: 130, 102, 68
Umber is a prehistoric earth pigment that’s typically dark brown, so raw umber is a variation of that. Umber was often used as an alternative to black when creating shadows in paintings. However, since raw umber isn’t the most appealing shade of brown, artists began to use other color mixtures to create shadows instead. Unfortunately, most people associate this color with gross, dirty objects. When people think of umber, they’re more likely to choose burnt umber, a warm red-brown that’s much more appealing than raw umber.
9. Mustard Yellow
Mustard Yellow
Hex: #E1AD01
RGB: 225, 173, 1
Mustard yellow reminds people of the popular yellow condiment of the same name. While some people believe it’s an essential topping for hot dogs and burgers, others can’t stand its taste. So, many people hate the color because it reminds them of a food they dislike. Even people who like the taste might not like the way mustard looks. Plus, mustard yellow is rarely a preferred type of yellow because it’s too dark and dull to evoke the joyful feelings that usually come with yellow.
10. Rust
Rust
Hex: #B7410E
RGB: 183, 65, 14
Not everyone is bothered by this red-orange shade, but since it’s named after the color of rusty metal, it has an unpleasant association. Rusted objects can be dangerous, unsightly, and undesirable. So, unless someone is creating art that’s meant to look old and worn like rust, most people steer clear of this color.
11. Neon Orange
Neon Orange
Hex: #FF5F1F
RGB: 255, 95, 31
Neon orange can be controversial. Some people love its energy, but most are deterred by how bright it is. Orange is already rarely used outside of the fall season, so making it even brighter is too overwhelming for many. Plus, there aren’t many contexts where it makes sense to use this bright of a color, which is why most people find it unappealing.
12. Beige
Beige
Hex: #F5F5DC
RGB: 245, 245, 220
Beige is a common neutral color that’s white with hints of yellow, gray, and/or brown, resulting in a sickly off-white color. It’s not a trendy color, but people still commonly use it for neutral designs, such as simple outfits and large walls. Many people dislike beige because it’s boring, overused, and not the most welcoming neutral color. Since it’s so bland, it doesn’t evoke many feelings, so people often avoid it for that reason.
13. Dark Yellow
Dark Yellow
Hex: #9B870C
RGB: 155, 135, 12
While you might think of gold when hearing about dark yellow, gold is usually more vibrant and sometimes shiny, making it an appealing color. Dark yellow is just a muted version of a color that’s normally sunny and happy. It almost looks like a light brown with a touch of yellow. Other bright colors, such as blue, green, and red, may pair well with this shade and help brighten the mood, but on its own, it could be viewed as a depressing version of yellow.
14. Light Olive
Light Olive
Hex: #B8BC86
RGB: 184, 188, 134
Some shades of olive are pleasant and even popular, but this one is less appealing. Olive is a muted green with more yellow than blue and some hints of brown. This version of light olive is paler and more washed out than similar greens, making it lack the positive qualities that green is known for, such as health and safety. It appears off-putting and fails to flatter most colors and skin tones. While it may work for some natural designs, such as a landscape painting, most people wouldn’t pick it over other shades of green.
15. Ox Blood
Ox Blood
Hex: #4A0404
RGB: 74, 4, 4
Ox Blood is a very deep red that’s almost black, making it the perfect color for Halloween decorations or other spooky scenarios. However, colors that look cool for horror movies are typically avoided on a normal basis. When people see this shade, they may associate it with bloodstains, which isn’t something you usually want to encounter. So, while it may be perfect for fake blood on a Halloween costume, it’s not appealing for home decor or casual outfits.
16. Dark Brown
Dark Brown
Hex: #5C4033
RGB: 92, 64, 51
Dark brown is a simple color that we see frequently, but most people don’t find it appealing. Sure, it’s the color of chocolate, but it’s also the color of dirt, mud, and feces, which are what most people associate it with. Plus, shades of brown can also be perceived as boring or dull. Dark brown can be a great neutral color to pair with more vibrant colors, but most people don’t like it by itself.
How good are you at guessing color names? Take the Color Challenge Quiz to find out!
