University Of California Gold

HEX: #B78727 | Modern Palette

On White
3.23:1
FAIL
On Black
6.51:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#B78727
RGB
183, 135, 39
HSL
40°, 64% ,43%
CMYK
0, 26, 79, 28

About University Of California Gold

University Of California Gold (#B78727) is a color with RGB(183, 135, 39) and HSL(40°, 64.9%, 43.5%). In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #2757B7, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #27B787 and #8727B7. The name comes from Gold (English).

  • HEX: #B78727
  • RGB: 183, 135, 39
  • HSL: 40°, 64.9%, 43.5%
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #2757B7
  • Triadic colors: #27B787, #8727B7
  • The name comes from Gold (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

Color Harmonies

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

Shades & Tints

A seamless scale of #B78727 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #979721
Protanopia #8D8D28
Tritanopia #BC8080
Achromatopsia #8F8F8F

Frequently Asked Questions

University Of California Gold (#B78727) is a color with RGB(183, 135, 39) and HSL(40°, 64.9%, 43.5%).

#B78727 pairs strongly with #2757B7 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#B78727 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Warm styles.

The name University Of California Gold is linked to Gold from English, meaning A precious yellow metallic element, valued as a symbol of wealth, purity, and excellence. Also, a color resembling that of the metal..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Gold
Meaning A precious yellow metallic element, valued as a symbol of wealth, purity, and excellence. Also, a color resembling that of the metal.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th - Early 20th Century

History

The choice of blue and gold for the University of California system, particularly Berkeley, dates back to the late 19th century. Blue was chosen to represent the California sky and the Pacific Ocean, while gold symbolized the 'Golden State' of California, its mineral wealth (from the Gold Rush), and the 'golden' opportunities offered by the university. The specific hex code #b78727 is a standardized digital representation used for branding consistency across the UC system in contemporary times, ensuring a consistent visual identity across all campuses and digital platforms.

First Recorded Use

The University of California, Berkeley, officially adopted blue and gold as its colors in 1895. The specific shade 'University Of California Gold' (#b78727) is a modern digital representation of this long-standing tradition.

Cultural Associations

This specific shade of gold is deeply embedded in the identity of the University of California system. It evokes a sense of tradition, academic excellence, and the pioneering spirit of California. It is prominently featured in university logos, athletic uniforms, graduation regalia, and official publications, making it instantly recognizable to students, alumni, and the public as a symbol of the UC system.

Similar Named Colors

Dark Goldenrod #B8860B ΔE 2.14
Vivid Amber #CC9900 ΔE 7.23
Metallic Sunburst #9C7C38 ΔE 7.33
Harvest Gold #DA9100 ΔE 7.86

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #B78727;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #B78727;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #B78727;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #B78727,
        #2757B7
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #B78727,
        #2757B7
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$university-of-california-gold: #B78727;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$university-of-california-gold-r: 183;
$university-of-california-gold-g: 135;
$university-of-california-gold-b: 39;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $university-of-california-gold;
    color: rgba($university-of-california-gold-r, $university-of-california-gold-g, $university-of-california-gold-b, 0.8);
}