Pantone’s color of the year for 2026 leans into calm and clarity
It's not white, it's cloud. Pantone’s Color of the Year is chosen through months of global research and trend analysis, with experts studying shifts in culture, design, technology, and lifestyle to understand the mood of the moment. Diana Ross at The
It's not white, it's cloud.
In a moment when the world feels louder and faster than ever, Pantone is betting that what people crave most is a breath of quiet.
Color of the year
Courtesy: Pantone
What we know:
On Thursday, the global color authority unveiled PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer as its 2026 Color of the Year — a soft, billowy white meant to usher in serenity and a sense of renewal.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Rihanna attends the 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Described as an ethereal hue that evokes stillness and clarity, Cloud Dancer is positioned as a symbolic reset for a society eager to slow down and rethink old patterns.
How do they choose the color of the year?
Pantone’s Color of the Year is chosen through months of global research and trend analysis, with experts studying shifts in culture, design, technology, and lifestyle to understand the mood of the moment.
The final hue is selected for its symbolism, emotional resonance, and ability to capture what people are collectively craving in the year ahead.
What color is ‘Cloud Dancer’?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Michelle Williams attends the 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Dig deeper:
Like a blank canvas, the shade represents fresh starts and open space for creativity. Pantone says Cloud Dancer encourages reflection and focus, the kind that lets the mind wander and innovation take shape.
'Is it white?'
"Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity," Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Keke Palmer attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
The hue, she added, is "a conscious statement of simplification" amid the "cacophony" of modern life.
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the institute, said Cloud Dancer also reflects a search for balance between our digital future and the human connections people are trying to preserve. The airy white, she said, captures a "liminal space" where creative experimentation can thrive.
To celebrate the color, Pantone will collaborate with artists throughout 2026, releasing surprise limited-edition pieces inspired by Cloud Dancer. The first drop — a tote bag created with illustrator and visual artist Emiliano Ponzi — will be sold on Pantone.com.
What was the 2025 color of the year?
Close Up of Raw Clay Texture Background, Color of Year 2025 Mocha Mousse Pottery Ceramics Background For Ceramist Shop, Market Or Workshop, Macro Photography. (Photo by: Natasha Breen/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The 2025 Pantone Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, was a warm, cozy brown chosen to evoke comfort and a sense of grounding.
The soft, muted taupe-brown shade nods to the familiar indulgence of cocoa, chocolate, and coffee, reflecting a collective craving for warmth and connection to the natural world.
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