Soft, stylish, and anything but boring—see how pastel colors can elevate your brand, UI, or moodboard without going full baby shower.

Most pastel color palettes online are serving the same tired energy: basic pastels that scream, “I discovered Pinterest yesterday.” But what if pastel colors could be sophisticated, dreamy, AND professional?

These aren’t your typical pastel pink and sage green combos. We’re talking about carefully crafted pastel color palettes curated by our illustrators.

Each pastel color palette comes with complete hex codes, accessibility ratings, and honest implementation advice. No aesthetic-only mood boards here—just soft pastel colors that your brand (and your developer) will actually thank you for.

What you’ll get:

  • 30+ unique pastel color combinations with complete hex codes
  • Accessibility-tested pastel colors that meet WCAG standards
  • Industry-specific pastel color schemes for different brand types
  • Copy-paste CSS variables and design tool swatches
  • Interactive color picker tools for customization

Ready to upgrade your pastel game beyond the Pinterest board basics?

In this article: show

What are pastel colors actually?

Close-up photo of pastel color swatches arranged in vertical strips, featuring soft shades of yellow, pink, peach, lavender, and blue, against a white textured background

Okay, let’s kill the “baby colors” narrative once and for all. What are pastel colors in actual technical terms?

They’re colors with high lightness and low saturation—basically, colors that got the glow-up treatment with white mixed in. Think of it as the color equivalent of that perfect soft-focus filter that makes everyone look ethereal.

Pastel meaning breaks down to this: take any color on the spectrum, add white until it becomes whisper-soft, and boom—you’ve got yourself a pastel.

But here’s where it gets spicy: the amount of white and the base color totally changes the vibe.

Pastel vs muted colors

Pastel vs. muted colors isn’t the same thing, even though Pinterest makes them seem like it.

  • Pastel colors = high lightness + low saturation (think cotton candy vibes)
  • Muted colors = mid-range lightness + low saturation (think sophisticated coffee shop aesthetic)

Muted colors got gray added, and pastels got white.

Why “soft colors” hit different in 2025

The pastel colors meaning has completely evolved. We’re not talking about nurseries anymore—we’re talking about:

  • Tech startups using soft pastels to feel approachable (without the corporate cringe)
  • Luxury brands are embracing soft pastel colors for that elevated minimalism
  • Mental health apps leveraging pastel psychology for genuine calm (not just aesthetic calm)

Types of pastel colors range from warm peachy pinks that scream “cozy productivity” to cool lavender blues that whisper “trust me, I’m competent.” Each one hits different psychological buttons, and smart brands know exactly which ones to press.

Psychology of pastel colors

What is pastel color psychology beyond “soft and gentle”? These colors literally lower cortisol levels and reduce cognitive load. That’s why meditation apps aren’t using neon green—pastels make your brain chill without making you sleepy.

Pastel colors aren’t baby colors—they’re strategic tools for brands that know how to use them right.

30+ pastel color palettes that hit different

Cherry blossom dreams

Dreamy anime-inspired landscape with cherry blossom tree against soft blue sky and rolling green hills, displayed alongside four pastel color swatches in minimal rose pink, lime green, fairy blue, and vodka purple with their corresponding hex codes
Sakura illustration
  • Minimal Rose (#F2C8DD)
  • Lime Ice (#D3DB7F)
  • Fairy Sparkles (#A5DBF8)
  • Vodka (#BFC6F1)

This pastel color palette is straight-up Studio Ghibli vibes. Soft pink pastel meets unexpected pastel green, pastel blue that’s magical, not childish, plus pastel purple sophistication. Perfect for wellness apps and creative portfolios that want that dreamy aesthetic without the basic Pinterest energy.

Digital fluidity

3D rendered tablet displaying flowing gradient waves in soft pink and blue tones, displayed alongside four pastel color swatches in distilled rose, fruit bowl peach, ice effect blue, and periwinkle blue with their corresponding hex codes.
3D glassy tablet illustration
  • Distilled Rose (#FEBBFF)
  • Fruit Bowl (#FDC4CD)
  • Ice Effect (#B8EFFF)
  • Periwinkle Blue (#80A0FC)

This pastel color palette is giving “iPhone wallpaper that actually looks expensive” vibes. Distilled Rose brings that soft pink pastel luxury without the cringe, Fruit Bowl adds warmth that doesn’t scream basic, Ice Effect is your light blue pastel that feels clean and modern, and Periwinkle Blue ties everything together with that perfect pastel blue color sophistication.

Perfect for mobile apps that want to feel premium, design portfolios that need to impress, or any brand trying to nail that “effortlessly aesthetic” energy. Skip if you’re going for bold or attention-grabbing.

Dynamic collab energy

Illustration of two people collaborating on a creative dashboard, featuring a pastel color palette with Carolina Blue, Charming Green, Sweet Romance, and Yellow Tan.
Dynamic UI illustration
  • Carolina Blue (#94B5FD)
  • Charming Green (#D3E08C)
  • Sweet Romance (#FFC4D9)
  • Yellow Tan (#FFE16F)

This pastel color palette is pure synergy—pastel blue for clarity, pastel green for growth, pastel pink for warmth, and pastel yellow for spark. Ideal for team dashboards, creative platforms, or any tool where collaboration is the main character.

Perfect for: ed-tech, design tools, productivity platforms with a human touch.
Skip if: you’re going full grayscale or hyper-minimal

Space explorer vibes

Cute cartoon rocket ship in space surrounded by stars and planets, displayed alongside four pastel color swatches in blue glaze, sachet pink, kindred blue, and yellow tulip with their corresponding pastel color hex codes.
Cute illustration
  • Blue Glaze (#56597A)
  • Sachet Pink (#F087B1)
  • Kindred (#74A3D7)
  • Yellow Tulip (#F7D16F)

This pastel color palette is giving “we’re launching to the moon but make it cute” energy. Blue Glaze brings deep space sophistication, Sachet Pink adds pastel pink personality that screams “not your typical tech bros,” Kindred is trustworthy pastel blue that’s reliable but not boring, and Yellow Tulip is the perfect pastel yellow attention-grabber.

Perfect for fintech startups with actual UX skills, ed-tech that doesn’t suck, productivity apps with personality. Skip if you’re going for that sterile Silicon Valley vibe.

Tech productivity vibes

illustrated workspace scene with rocket ship, analytics charts, and productivity tools in soft pastel colors, displayed alongside four color swatches in broad daylight blue, jigglypuff pink, hera blue, and turquoise topaz with their corresponding hex codes.
UI illustration
  • Broad Daylight (#BAD7FF)
  • Jigglypuff (#FFB2FF)
  • Hera Blue (#8B7AF1)
  • Turquoise Topaz (#12B7A4)

This pastel color palette is giving “my productivity app actually helps me focus instead of stressing me out” energy. Broad Daylight serves that calming pastel blue that makes data dashboards feel approachable, Jigglypuff brings pastel pink warmth that says “tech can have personality,” Hera Blue delivers confident sophistication, and Turquoise Topaz adds that pastel green accent that screams “innovation without the overwhelm.”

Perfect for productivity tools that don’t give you anxiety, collaboration platforms that feel human, design systems that teams actually want to use. Skip if you’re building something that needs to feel intense or high-energy.

Digital detective energy

Illustrated scene of person using magnifying glass to research social media and digital content, with browser window and social media icons in soft pastel colors, displayed alongside four color swatches in mindaro yellow, touch of turquoise, soft pink, and robo master gray with their corresponding hex codes
Joy illustration
  • Mindaro (#E3EB6E)
  • Touch Of Turquoise (#A3D4CF)
  • Soft Pink (#FF8CA3)
  • Robo Master (#ACACAC)

This pastel color palette is giving “I actually know how to research users instead of just guessing what they want” vibes. Mindaro brings that pastel yellow energy that says “lightbulb moments happen here,” Touch Of Turquoise delivers calming pastel blue focus vibes, Soft Pink adds that pastel pink warmth that makes people want to share their real thoughts, and Robo Master grounds everything with that perfect neutral that doesn’t compete for attention.

Perfect for user research platforms, social media management tools that don’t overwhelm, design portfolios that show actual process instead of just pretty mockups. Skip if you’re building something that needs to feel corporate or intimidating.

Community connection vibes

Abstract illustration showing diverse people silhouettes in colorful circular overlapping shapes representing community and connection, displayed alongside four pastel color swatches in cold lips purple, hanuman green, charming cherry pink, and near moon blue with their corresponding hex codes
Bright illustration
  • Cold Lips (#9B8DEC)
  • Hanuman Green (#5AFFB2)
  • Charming Cherry (#FF8CA3)
  • Near Moon (#6AE0E4)

This pastel color palette is giving “our community platform actually helps people connect instead of just harvesting their data” energy. Cold Lips brings that chill pastel purple that says “we respect your boundaries,” Hanuman Green delivers that fresh pastel green growth vibe, Charming Cherry adds pastel pink warmth that makes people want to actually engage, and Near Moon is your pastel blue accent that feels trustworthy without being boring.

Perfect for community platforms that don’t feel toxic, collaboration tools that prioritize human connection, social apps that actually care about user wellbeing. Skip if you’re building something that needs to feel corporate or impersonal.

Modern romance

3D rendered speech bubble with heart icon in gradient coral and pink tones, displayed alongside four pastel color swatches in phenomenal peach, no need to blush pink, salmon sashimi coral, and rosa pink with their corresponding hex codes.
3D glassy illustration
  • Phenomenal Peach (#FFC8A1)
  • No Need To Blush (#FFD3DC)
  • Salmon Sashimi (#FF7F76)
  • Rosa (#FF879C)

This pastel color palette is giving “love language but make it sophisticated” energy. Phenomenal Peach brings that warm pastel orange glow that doesn’t scream “basic sunset vibes,” No Need To Blush delivers confident soft pink pastel energy, Salmon Sashimi adds that perfect pastel pink pop that feels fresh not cliché, and Rosa ties everything together with that classic pink pastel color that actually has personality.

Perfect for dating apps that don’t make you cringe, lifestyle brands targeting people who want romance without the cheese, wellness platforms that understand self-love isn’t just bubble baths. Skip if you’re trying to be gender-neutral or appeal to a very broad audience.

Growth analytics energy

Abstract 3D composition with geometric shapes including percentage symbol, directional arrow, sphere, and cylindrical objects in soft pastel colors representing data analytics and growth metrics, displayed alongside four color swatches in dull lavender, apple orchard green, wonder lust pink, and prism blue with their corresponding hex codes
3D hygge illustration
  • Dull Lavender (#979EE2)
  • Apple Orchard (#91CA72)
  • Wonder Lust (#EE86A2)
  • Prism (#A3DBC9)

This pastel color palette is giving “our analytics dashboard actually helps you make decisions instead of just looking impressive in meetings” vibes. Dull Lavender brings that chill pastel purple that doesn’t overwhelm your brain when you’re trying to process data, Apple Orchard delivers that fresh pastel green growth energy without the toxic positivity, Wonder Lust adds pastel pink personality that makes finance reports feel less soul-crushing, and Prism is your pastel blue accent that screams “clarity without the corporate sterile vibes.”

Perfect for fintech tools that don’t make you want to hide your money under a mattress, analytics platforms built by people who actually understand UX, business dashboards that prioritize insights over vanity metrics. Skip if you’re building something that needs to feel intimidating or “enterprise serious.”

Performance dashboard pro

Dark-themed 3D workspace with rocket ship, performance charts, progress bars and interface elements in soft pastel colors against black background, displayed alongside four color swatches in plaster gray, coastal trim green, distilled rose pink, and heaven gates blue with their corresponding hex codes.
Chromed illustration
  • Plaster (#E9E9E9)
  • Coastal Trim (#B7FED0)
  • Distilled Rose (#FEBEF8)
  • Heaven Gates (#C8EAFD)

This pastel color palette is giving “dark mode dashboard that doesn’t burn your retinas at 2am” energy. Plaster brings that perfect neutral base that works against dark backgrounds without looking washed out, Coastal Trim delivers pastel green success vibes that don’t scream “toxic productivity culture,” Distilled Rose adds soft pink pastel warmth for those late-night debugging sessions, and Heaven Gates is your pastel blue accent that says “this data actually makes sense.”

Perfect for performance monitoring tools that don’t hate night owls, dark-themed dashboards that prioritize readability over looking cool, developer tools built by people who actually code at weird hours.

Soft B2B energy

Illustration of colorful 3D "B2B" letters and icons, featuring a soft pastel color palette with Changeling Pink, Prairie Dune, Greenwood, and Melrose.
Lettering illustration
  • Changeling Pink (#F4ACD2)
  • Prairie Dune (#FBD5BB)
  • Greenwood (#BAB8A8)
  • Melrose (#BDB7DB)

This pastel color palette blends warm pastel pinks, muted pastel green, and soft lilac for a B2B aesthetic that’s friendly but still means business. A fresh take on enterprise design—minus the soul-sucking gray.

Perfect for: coworking platforms, SaaS brands with heart, or pastel-themed presentations.

Skip if: you’re going full corporate blue-and-gray mode.

Monochrome mood booster

Fluffy blue character with a smiling face, representing a cool monochromatic pastel color palette featuring Cornflower Blue, Calcareous Sinter, Toolbox, and Periwinkle Blue.
Blue fluffy illustration
  • Cornflower Blue (#779FEB)
  • Calcareous Sinter (#DDEBFF)
  • Toolbox (#7173BE)
  • Periwinkle Blue (#8F9EFB)

This pastel blue palette proves you don’t need a rainbow to stand out. With soft periwinkle, light blue pastel tones, and just enough contrast, it’s calm, clean, and full of quiet confidence.

Perfect for: branding with a tech edge, pastel color backgrounds, mental health apps, or any product aiming for trust and tranquility.

Skip if: you’re going for energetic or vibrant vibes.

Sweet metrics

3D illustration of a pastel-themed clipboard and calculator, using a pastel color palette with Script White, Tibetan Stone, Peach Flower, and Butterblond
Accounting illustration
  • Script White (#DDDEDF)
  • Tibetan Stone (#87C2CA)
  • Peach Flower (#DF93B4)
  • Butterblond (#F1C764)

This pastel color palette is giving “data, but make it cute.” Peach pastel and soft yellow bring playfulness, while Tibetan Stone and Script White keep it clean. It’s pastel, polished, and perfect for dashboards with personality.

Perfect for: accounting apps that don’t kill joy, SaaS landing pages, or design portfolios with pastel charm.
Skip if: you’re allergic to color or fun.

Lucid lavender

Abstract illustration featuring soft pastel shapes and lines in lavender and blue tones, using a pastel color palette with Cold Lips, Lucid Dreams, Sparkling Lavender, and Melrose.
Abstract doodle background
  • Cold Lips (#A597F3)
  • Lucid Dreams (#D1F1FF)
  • Sparkling Lavender (#F9D5FF)
  • Melrose (#BCB2DB)

This pastel color palette is all soft pastel purples and dreamy blues—like your sleep tracker UI took a spa day. Gentle, calming, and subtly magical.

Perfect for: meditation apps, sleep tech, mood boards, or pastel backgrounds that don’t scream for attention.
Skip if: your project calls for bold or high-contrast energy.

Checkout flow glow

3D illustration of a smartphone, shopping cart, and credit cards, featuring a muted pastel color palette with Azalea Pink, Etherium Blue, Plaster, and Cupola Yellow
Shine illustration
  • Azalea Pink (#F8BBC2)
  • Etherium Blue (#B9C3DE)
  • Plaster (#E9E9E9)
  • Cupola Yellow (#DDBA8F)

This pastel color palette adds softness to commerce. Muted pink, pastel blue, and grounded neutral tones create a chill vibe for checkout flows that don’t feel like tax season.

Perfect for: fintech apps, ecommerce UI, and mobile shopping experiences with a gentle touch.
Skip if: your brand voice is “maximum urgency” and blinking red buttons.

Nurtured growth

Illustration of a woman watering a blooming plant with currency symbols, featuring a pastel color palette with Rhodes, Sassy Pink, Lei Flower, and Red Berry.
Airy illustration
  • Rhodes (#8BBBE6)
  • Sassy Pink (#F6D9FB)
  • Lei Flower (#D8746C)
  • Red Berry (#6E1E27)

This pastel palette blends soft blue and pink with bold accents for a color story that says, “Yes, we’re cute—but we get results.” A pastel color scheme with backbone.

Perfect for: startups in growth mode, branding decks, or pastel-themed visuals that still pack a punch.
Skip if: you’re after something ultra-light or low-contrast.

Icebox metropolis

Minimalist illustration of a futuristic city in pastel blues and grays. The scene uses colors Ice Cold Stare (#A7C7FA), Sky Dancer (#428DFC), December Sky (#D6D7D8), and Light Sky Blue (#8EC2FA) to create a cool, tech-savvy atmosphere
Clip city illustration
  • Ice Cold Stare (#A7C7FA)
  • Sky Dancer (#428DFC)
  • December Sky (#D6D7D8)
  • Light Sky Blue (#8EC2FA)

This monochromatic blue pastel palette brings that crisp, minimalist cityscape energy. Think SaaS dashboards, architectural mockups, or any interface that wants to say “we’re modern, efficient, and slightly emotionally unavailable—in a good way.”

Best for: clean UI design, city-themed visuals, data dashboards, cold climate apps
Avoid if: your brand identity involves bonfires, summer vibes, or feelings

Soft Logic

Pastel color illustration of a magnifying glass analyzing a digital network and document, using a pastel palette with pink, blue, and green shades: Drunken Dragonfly, Sail, Tea Rose, and Bologna Sausage. Ideal for pastel UI or dashboard visuals
UI illustration
  • Drunken Dragonfly (#3ADE9E)
  • Sail (#A5C7EC)
  • Tea Rose (#F991B9)
  • Bologna Sausage (#FFCED8)

This pastel color palette blends soft pastel pink, light blue pastel, and vibrant pastel green into a scheme that’s clean, smart, and far from boring. It’s a pastel color combo made for dashboards, UI design, and branding that values clarity and charm.

Perfect for: pastel-themed SaaS tools, data platforms, and AI apps with pastel style.
Skip if: you’re going full dark mode or grayscale.

Lazy Sunday pastels

Hand-drawn pastel sketch of a cozy room with a cat, books, and yarn, using a soft pastel color palette with Breeze, Cheddar Corn, Lavender Pillow, and Light Slipper Satin
Sketchbook illustration
  • Breeze (#C0DAE5)
  • Cheddar Corn (#F6D9B7)
  • Lavender Pillow (#C4B5D1)
  • Light Slipper Satin (#D1D2DA)

This pastel color palette feels like soft light through a curtain, a sleepy cat, and a warm cup of something good. Light pastel pinks, soft lavender, and muted pastel blue make it ideal for pastel illustrations, calm UI, or lifestyle branding that leans into cozy vibes.

Perfect for: book apps, creative journals, pastel color backgrounds, or wellness brands.
Skip if: you’re after high contrast or bold pastel colors.

Developer daydream

Illustration of a computer interface and code editor in pastel tones, using a color palette of Arctic Paradise, Pale Lavender, Mint Tonic, and Kernel. Designed for creative tools and soft UI.
Florid illustration
  • Arctic Paradise (#BBF0F8)
  • Pale Lavender (#DDCDFF)
  • Mint Tonic (#9DF0B3)
  • Kernel (#EDB974)

This pastel color palette brings together soft pastel blue, light mint green, pastel purple, and warm yellow for a vibe that’s fresh, functional, and full of ideas. Think pastel color schemes built for creative coding and calm UI design.

Perfect for: pastel-themed landing pages, code editors, creative dev tools, or pastel color backgrounds for portfolios.
Skip if: you’re designing for legacy enterprise apps with a beige soul.

Citrus punch pastels

Fuzzy character shaped like a flower in bold orange tones, featuring a monochromatic pastel color palette with Peachy Feeling, Goose Bill, Bloodletter, and Peachy Salmon. Great for vibrant pastel designs
Fuzzy orange flower illustration
  • Peachy Feeling (#EC8662)
  • Goose Bill (#FFB77E)
  • Bloodletter (#E96F4E)
  • Peachy Salmon (#FF9A7C)

This pastel orange palette is for brands that want soft and sunny, but with bite. From light peach to saturated coral tones, this pastel color palette hits all the right citrus notes.

Perfect for: bold pastel logos, packaging, UI buttons, or pastel color palettes that pop without going neon.
Skip if: you’re looking for muted or cool-toned pastels.

Syntax pop

3D illustration of floating code blocks and programming symbols in pastel tones, featuring a color palette with Cold Lips, Bubble Algae, Phantom, and Candy Grape Fizz — ideal for developer branding or pastel-themed tech visuals
3D incut illustration
  • Cold Lips (#9999F3)
  • Bubble Algae (#7FE5B2)
  • Phantom (#39373B)
  • Candy Grape Fizz (#7450EF)

This pastel color palette mixes soft purples and mint green with bold dark contrast. A pastel code aesthetic that’s fresh, readable, and just a little rebellious.

Perfect for: developer portfolios, dark-themed dashboards, pastel UI with a twist, or coding tools that need soft pastel colors with punch.
Skip if: you’re designing for kindergarten apps or banking software.

Candy coated joy

3D emoji with a big smile and glossy pastel gradient lighting, featuring a vibrant pastel color palette of Distilled Rose, Spice Pink, Arc Light, and Bright Lilac — perfect for playful and aesthetic pastel designs
3D glassy emoji illustration
  • Distilled Rose (#FFC3FF)
  • Spice Pink (#FFAE89)
  • Arc Light (#CAE3FF)
  • Bright Lilac (#E592EF)

This pastel color palette is like a sugar rush for your UI. With bright pastel pinks, glassy pastel purples, and a soft baby blue hex code for balance, it’s all about joyful energy with a modern twist.

Perfect for: aesthetic pastel color palettes in branding, social apps, or any design where cuteness meets clarity.
Skip if: you’re building something serious, stoic, or grayscale.

Comic pop pastels

Cartoon-style illustration of a couple sharing food, colored with a bold pastel color palette featuring Pretty Pink Piggy, Lemon Flesh, Blue Mana, and Dove Grey — ideal for comic illustrations and fun UX designs
Mochi illustration
  • Pretty Pink Piggy (#F1B1DD)
  • Lemon Flesh (#F0E790)
  • Blue Mana (#57C6F2)
  • Dove Grey (#6E6E6E)

This pastel color palette feels straight out of a modern comic strip—playful, punchy, and clean. With vibrant pastel yellow, energetic light blue, and bubblegum pink, it’s a great pastel aesthetic for illustrations, infographics, or UX with personality.

Best for: pastel color schemes for storytelling apps, character-driven branding, or playful UI animations.
Use with caution: if your tone is minimal or serious—this one’s here to party.

Bubblegum canvas

Colorful illustration of a character painting, using a cheerful pastel color palette of Rose Daphne, Shiva Blue, Pickled Ginger, and Lavender Cream—ideal for lighthearted visuals, educational graphics, and fun branding
Elastic illustration
  • Rose Daphne (#FF9CDC)
  • Shiva Blue (#98E2FD)
  • Pickled Ginger (#FFDE55)
  • Lavender Cream (#C4ACF4)

This palette feels like painting your design with bubblegum and sherbet. The warm yellow and icy blue add contrast to the sugary pink and mellow lavender, creating a quirky pastel color combination that’s equal parts playful and surreal.

Best for: pastel color palettes for illustrations, playful branding, or educational apps for kids and creatives.
Steer clear if: you’re going for a corporate or luxury vibe—this one’s got big silly energy.

Sunset reverie

Impressionist-style sunset painting paired with a pastel palette of Jovial Jade, Wasurenagusa Blue, Fruit Bowl, and Carnation—perfect for dreamy branding and nature-inspired scenes
Sunset background illustration
  • Jovial Jade (#82E19D)
  • Wasurenagusa Blue (#92BCEB)
  • Fruit Bowl (#FCC1CF)
  • Carnation (#FB7D8D)

A golden hour glow in palette form. This mix of faded sunshine, soft sky blues, and meadow purples feels like watching the world wind down into a dream. It’s calm, hopeful, and just dramatic enough.

Best for: dreamy pastel aesthetics, landscape art, vaporwave sunsets, nature-themed branding
Skip it if: you’re aiming for minimalism or tech—this one’s more poetry than productivity.

Crypto candy

Illustration of a pastel-colored crypto server connected to floating currency icons, paired with a playful color palette: Crystal Glass, Juzcar Blue, Chilled Lemonade, and Fresh Gum—ideal for lighthearted tech or blockchain design
Crypto illustration
  • Crystal Glass (#DDFEEE)
  • Juzcar Blue (#9DD9F4)
  • Chilled Lemonade (#FFE993)
  • Fresh Gum (#FFA9DC)

Imagine a blockchain ran by bubble tea. This palette has a minty-fresh vibe with candy-coated optimism—perfect for tech startups that want to look friendly (or just hide the fact they’re burning VC cash).

Best for: fintech apps, NFT dashboards, gamified UIs, pastel crypto themes
Avoid if: your audience wears suits and says “synergy” with a straight face.

Fluffy feelings

A fuzzy pink donut shape set against a clean backdrop, with a four-color pastel palette on the right: Salmon Tartare, Bazooka Pink, Camaron Pink, and Pink Sherbet—ideal for soft, girly, or kawaii-themed designs
Pink fluffy donut illustration
  • Salmon Tartare (#FF9DA7)
  • Bazooka Pink (#FFA4CE)
  • Camaron Pink (#FF818B)
  • Pink Sherbet (#F879A9)

Warning: may cause involuntary “aww.” This ultra-pink pastel palette is soft, sweet, and borderline edible. Like cotton candy with a designer’s eye. Works wonders for beauty brands, plush toy startups, or anyone who wants to wrap their UI in a warm, fuzzy hug.

Best for: skincare packaging, Gen Z fashion apps, moodboards for people who believe in manifesting
Avoid if: you’re designing for accountants or military-grade anything.

Beam me up

An infographic-style 3D pie chart paired with bar and line graphs, all in soft pastel shades. The palette includes minty green (Jovial Jade), gentle blue (Wasurenagusa Blue), soft coral (Fruit Bowl), and bold pink (Carnation)—perfect for UX dashboards and data visualizations with a friendly twist
Graphs and charts illustration
  • Jovial Jade (#82E19D)
  • Wasurenagusa Blue (#92BCEB)
  • Fruit Bowl (#FCC1CF)
  • Carnation (#FB7D8D)

Who says data dashboards have to look like tax forms? This palette brings a soft glow to the world of graphs and charts. It’s got that pastel charm but still feels sharp enough to belong in fintech, edtech, or anywhere design meets clarity.

Best for: infographics, SaaS dashboards, pitch decks that don’t suck
Avoid if: your brand depends on looking intimidating or high-stakes

Soft serve sass

A fuzzy pastel purple character shaped like an "X" with big cartoon eyes, set against a color palette of light purples. Includes Pink Sugar (#EAB2FF), Lenurple (#B58BD9), Azuremyst Isle (#B88BF2), and Lusty Lavender (#8E5FAF)—ideal for playful pastel design themes with a soft texture and friendly tone
Purple fluffy cross illustration
  • Pink Sugar (#EAB2FF)
  • Lenurple (#B58BD9)
  • Azuremyst Isle (#B88BF2)
  • Lusty Lavender (#8E5FAF)

This one’s giving: if Care Bears ran a tech startup. A cotton-candy mix of purples that feels dreamy, plush, and just a little extra. It’s the visual equivalent of a lavender latte with glitter foam—fun, quirky, but surprisingly usable.

Best for: playful brands, soft 3D UI, game interfaces, mascots
Avoid if: you’re allergic to fun or afraid of plushies making eye contact

Frostbitten finance

A translucent stack of pastel blue crypto coins embossed with the Bitcoin symbol. Accompanied by a monochromatic palette of Krishna Blue (#06B2FF), Alpine Expedition (#96E8FF), Lucid Dreams (#C8E7FF), and Crystal Falls (#E2E7F3). Great for futuristic and minimal pastel aesthetics
Glassy Bitcoin illustration
  • Krishna Blue (#06B2FF)
  • Alpine Expedition (#96E8FF)
  • Lucid Dreams (#C8E7FF)
  • Crystal Falls (#E2E7F3)

If cold, hard cash had a soft, dreamy reboot. This crisp monochromatic blue pastel palette is made for futuristic dashboards, fintech UI, or any crypto app that wants to look trustworthy—but still chill. It’s like your savings account, but make it spa day.

Best for: blockchain branding, icy UI themes, product design for fintech or SaaS
Avoid if: your app is about fire, chaos, or spontaneous combustion

How to choose pastel colors for your brand

Stop picking colors based on “vibes”

Listen, we’ve all been tempted by the Pinterest board full of baby blues and dusty lilacs. But if your pastel brand colors don’t solve a real design problem, they’re just decoration. Design isn’t art—it’s communication. So ask yourself:

  • What should the user feel?
  • What should they do?
  • How do these colors support that?

“Soft” doesn’t mean “ineffective”—but you better back it with intent.

Actually use color theory

Here’s the move:

  • Use analogous pastel colors (like mint, sky, and baby blue) for harmony.
  • Use complementary colors (like pastel pink + muted green) to create tension or highlight.
  • Use desaturation to shift bright brand colors into pastel territory without changing your visual identity entirely.

Bonus: Create a scale. Pick 1–2 pastel tones, then find medium and dark neutrals to balance them. This gives you flexibility and contrast without over-designing.

Design for your actual users

Don’t assume pastels are for “feminine” audiences or lifestyle brands only. That’s lazy thinking. Pastels work in fintech dashboards, healthcare apps, and B2B sites—when used intelligently.

  • Gen Z? Hit them with contrast: pastel plus bold black or neon.
  • Boomers? Avoid colors that are too pale; they may struggle with legibility.
  • Global audience? Double-check what pink means in your target regions. (No, really.)

Accessibility gut-check

Pastels + UX = design debt (if you’re not careful)

You can’t just drop text on a pastel background and call it a day. WCAG doesn’t care that it “looked nice in Figma.”

Here’s how you fix it:

  • Don’t put light-on-light. Ever.
  • Use high-contrast type (dark grays, bold fonts, no skinny scripts).
  • Reserve pastels for backgrounds or visual elements, not primary UI components.

Need help? Run your UI through:

Common pastel mistakes that scream “Junior designer”

1. All Pastels, all the time

Pastels are great for tone. Not for structure. You still need:

  • Clear headings
  • Visual hierarchy
  • A focus color or CTA highlight

Use a pastel palette as seasoning, not the whole meal.

2. No neutrals, no depth

White + pastel + another pastel = mush. Add depth with:

  • Cool grays
  • Deep browns
  • Black, when necessary (yes, it’s still allowed)

3. Trend-chasing without testing

Pastel gradients look amazing on Behance but destroy clarity when applied to real products. Ask:

  • How does it scale across dark/light modes?
  • How does it render on cheap monitors?
  • Can your dev team implement it without losing their minds?

Pastels can work—when they’re not doing all the work. Combine them with contrast, clarity, and intent, and you’ll get a brand system that’s modern and functional.

Frequently Asked Questions about pastel colors

Which colors are pastel colors?

Pastel colors are simply colors with low saturation and high brightness. Think of them as the soft-spoken cousins of bold colors. You’ll recognize classics like pastel pink, baby blue, mint green, lavender, and soft peach. What makes them “pastel” isn’t the hue—it’s the tone.

What are the exact pastel colors?

There’s no official hex chart for “exact pastel colors,” but here are some widely accepted ones:

  • Pastel Pink: #FFD1DC
  • Baby Blue: #A7C7E7
  • Mint Green: #AAF0D1
  • Lavender: #E3E4FA
  • Peach: #FFE5B4

Want a cheat code? Use a pastel color palette generator and lower the saturation by 40–60% while increasing brightness. That’s your sweet spot.

Is there pastel grey?

Yes—pastel grey is a thing. It’s basically a light, desaturated grey with a warm or cool tint. Designers often use it as a neutral background or to soften harsh contrast. Try #D3D3D3 for a warm version or #E0E0E0 for a cooler one. It’s a solid choice when white is too stark and dark grey is too heavy.

Which pastel colors go well together?

Some pastel color combinations that just work:

  • Mint + Peach + Cream
  • Lavender + Powder Blue + Blush Pink
  • Pastel Yellow + Lilac + Sky Blue

Pro tip: If everything is light and airy, balance it with one slightly more saturated anchor (like navy or charcoal) to avoid the dreaded “washed-out website” look.

Are pastels warm or cool?

Both. Pastels come in warm and cool flavors. It depends on the base hue:

  • Warm pastels: pastel peach, soft yellow, coral pink
  • Cool pastels: lavender, baby blue, mint green

If you’re building a pastel brand palette, you’ll want to mix tones intentionally—or commit fully to warm or cool for a cohesive aesthetic.

What is the psychology behind pastel colors?

Pastels tend to signal calm, friendliness, and approachability. They’re often used in industries where softness and trust are key: wellness, skincare, kids’ products, and creative apps.

  • Pastel blue = calm, clarity, safety
  • Pastel pink = care, softness, youth
  • Pastel green = freshness, growth
  • Pastel purple = creativity, tranquility

Just remember: context matters. Pastel doesn’t always mean “cute”—it can also mean “modern,” “subtle,” or “clean,” depending on how you use it.