What color is Byzantium?
Byzantium is a deep, muted purple with a reddish undertone, hex #702963, close to the color of a dried lavender stem. It is darker and less vivid than violet, with a dusty, almost bruised quality.
What is the meaning of the color Byzantium?
The name comes from Byzantium, the ancient Greek city later known as Constantinople, where a rare purple dye made from sea snails called murex was produced and reserved by law for imperial use. Roman and Byzantine emperors wore this color as a mark of supreme authority, and the association between purple and royalty shaped European heraldic tradition for centuries. The specific shade now called Byzantium was recorded in English as a color name in the early 20th century. The Pantone Color Institute lists it among named historical purples, anchoring its identity in that imperial tradition.
What colors go with Byzantium?
Colors that pair well with Byzantium include:
Gold: rich, warm contrast
Ivory: soft, brightening balance
Forest green: deep, complementary depth
Dusty rose: gentle tonal warmth
Charcoal: grounding, neutral backdrop
Similar Colors
Conversions & Codes
| Format | Value | CSS |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | #702963 |
color: #702963;
|
| RGB | 112, 41, 99 |
color: rgb(112, 41, 99);
|
| RGB Percentage | 44%, 16%, 39% |
color: rgb(44%, 16%, 39%);
|
| CMYK | 0%, 63%, 12%, 56% | Not supported in CSS |
| HSL | 311°, 46%, 30% |
color: hsl(311, 46%, 30%);
|
| HSV | 311°, 63%, 44% | Not supported in CSS |
| CIE-LAB | 24, 14, -19 |
color: lab(24% 14 -19);
|
| Decimal | 7350627 | Not supported in CSS |
Color Variations
Shades
Tints
Tones
Hues
Color Harmonies
Analogous
Complementary
Split Complementary
Triadic
Tetradic
Square
CSS & Dev Snippets
.byzantium {
color: #702963;
}
$byzantium: #702963;
rgb(112, 41, 99)