Pantone named the color of 2026: for the first time, white became the main color

The American Pantone Color Institute has unveiled the main shade of 2026 — PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a delicate airy white that has become the absolute favorite for the first time in the history of the Color of the Year program.

This choice symbolizes society’s deep desire for inner peace and a rethinking of life priorities in an era of total digitalization.

Color Philosophy 2026

Pantone experts describe Cloud Dancer as a balanced white with warm undertones, reminiscent of the value of quiet reflection and focus. It is not a sterile laboratory white, but a soft “loft” shade that breathes space and lightness.

“Cloud Dancer embodies our collective desire to start with a clean slate. By abandoning old patterns of thinking, we open up horizons for innovative approaches and solutions,” explains Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.

According to the institute’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, the white shade of 2026 is a response to the demands of the times: “We live amid a constant barrage of information that drowns out our inner voice. Cloud Dancer is a conscious step toward minimalism — it helps us weed out the unnecessary and find focus.”

Symbolism of a new beginning

In a time of global transformation and rethinking of the future, Cloud Dancer offers a visual refuge — a place for renewal, creativity, and the birth of fresh ideas. It is a color that creates an atmosphere of purity and space, where functionality and emotion exist in harmony.

The Pantone Color of the Year program has been around since 1999. Previous favorites were Mocha Mousse (2025) and Peach Fuzz (2024). Cloud Dancer is the first full-fledged white shade in the history of the program.