What Are RAL Color Codes? How to Choose the Right Color

RAL is a color system that originated in Germany in 1927 and is today accepted as the standard for industrial paints in Europe and many other parts of the world. Defining a color as "RAL 7016" instead of "dark grey" eliminates the risk of a color difference between order and delivery.

How are the codes read?

In the most widely used RAL Classic collection, each color is expressed by a four-digit code, and the first digit indicates the color family: 1 yellows, 2 oranges, 3 reds, 4 violets, 5 blues, 6 greens, 7 greys, 8 browns and 9 whites and blacks. For example, RAL 3020 is traffic red, RAL 9005 is jet black and RAL 7035 is light grey.

Don't trust the color on screen

Monitors and phone screens display colors differently. For a definitive color choice, it is recommended to decide using a physical RAL chart or color card.

Gloss is part of the color

The same RAL code is perceived differently on a matte, satin or gloss surface. When ordering, the gloss level should be specified alongside the color code.

Order from the same batch

To avoid shade differences on large surfaces, it is recommended to obtain the entire requirement at once, from the same production batch, whenever possible.

You can search by code or name on the RAL Color Chart page of our website and get support from us in choosing colors.