Teal vs Turquoise vs Cyan – What Are The Differences?

In this article, you will learn about teal, turquoise, and cyan colors including a side-by-side comparison. If you are considering either of these colors, the following information will help you make the right decision.

Teal vs Turquoise vs Cyan

Teal, turquoise, and cyan are all a combination of blue and green, but it’s the ratio and tone that determines which color you actually end up with.

If you are considering a painting project in your home or trying to paint with acrylics, consider setting the tone first and then adding the tint.

Tone Vs. Tint

Painters will often take a primary color, such as blue, and add white to change the tone. White paint will lighten the blue, but pure white paint will not change the tint of the blue.

Teal, turquoise, and cyan are all a combination of blue and green, but if you want cyan, you may do well to start with white paint and dab in teal until you are happy with the shade.

Do make sure that you are working with pure colors. It may be tempting to work with the paint off the scratch and dent rack from the hardware store in the hopes that you can change it with another color.

However, adding an impure white to try to lighten a shade of red into pink can turn salmon or pumpkin orange if there’s too much-unseen yellow in the white paint.

Lightening blue paint with white paint can lead to cyan or turquoise, which can be lovely, but not if you wanted light blue.

Primary Colors and Results

Teal, turquoise, and cyan are all some combination of blue and yellow. Mixed equally, blue and yellow make green.

Be ready to do some experimenting to come up with the right ratio of blue to yellow for the blue-green target shade.

Teal

Start with blue. Make sure it’s pure blue. There are many varieties of blue; for example, royal blue also contains a touch of red and green to create the vivid, intense shade we call royal blue.

Give yourself a dime-sized dab of blue paint and work in just a drop of yellow.

This can be done with a small brush to gain the best control.

Because you’re working with pure blue, the tone of the color you create will be quite dark.

Teal is the deepest of these three colors. If you are interested in decorating with teal, be aware that this color can grey out if the space is not well-lit.

In a bedroom, this can be soothing and give you a feeling of nesting. However, teal is not an ideal color for casual space; over time, the space may feel a bit dingy or even cave-like.

Teal Hex code/RGB

The hex color code for teal is #008080. The RGB (red, green, blue) color code is 0,128,128.

A great shade of teal is Benjamin Moore Teal 2055-10. This color is a rich, deep shade that combines blue and green tones to create a sophisticated and vibrant look.

This image shows Benjamin Moore Teal 2055-10. Hex code: #08484E.

Best Uses:

1. Accent Walls: Teal can be used to create a striking accent wall in living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
2. Cabinetry: It works well on kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities, adding a pop of color without overwhelming the space.
3. Furniture: Consider painting a piece of furniture like a bookshelf or side table in teal to add an interesting focal point.
4. Entryways: Teal can make a bold statement in entryways, setting a welcoming and stylish tone for the home.

Colors that Compliment Teal:

1. Neutrals: Whites, creams, and grays can balance the boldness of teal, creating a clean and modern look.
2. Golds and Brass: These metallics add warmth and elegance, making teal feel even more luxurious.
3. Soft Pinks: For a playful and contemporary feel, pair teal with soft pinks or blush tones.
4. Mustard Yellow: This combination can create a retro or mid-century modern vibe.
5. Navy Blue: For a monochromatic and sophisticated palette, combine teal with deeper shades of blue.

Teal 2055-10 by Benjamin Moore is versatile and can be used in various design styles, from modern to traditional.

Hex code: #08484E

LRV: 6.49

Get a peel and stick paint sample of Teal by Benjamin Moore here.

Paint Color Samples

Would you like to sample these paint colors? I recommend using a peel and stick paint sample from SAMPLIZE. Peel and stick paint samples are very affordable and easy to use. They are also clean and environmentally friendly!

Advantages of using peel and stick paint samples:

• EASY TO USE: Simply move your SAMPLIZE paint sample around the room to test under a variety of lighting conditions.
• AFFORDABLE: Budget-friendly solution and no more buying inaccurate swatches, rollers, wasted paint.
• SUPER FAST DELIVERY: Depending on your location, 1 day delivery is possible.
• ORDER FROM HOME: Save a trip to the store looking for samples.
• NO MESS: SAMPLIZE uses real paint samples with zero-mess
• NO WASTE: No leftover cans or wasted paint.

Turquoise

To mix turquoise, it may be simplest to start with a combination of blue and green. Be aware that turquoise is lighter than teal but deeper than cyan.

You may be able to get the right tone or brightness by lightening the green before you add it to the blue.

Green is an equal blend of yellow and blue.

Mixing green and blue to make turquoise simply lowers the ratio of yellow in the mix.

The word turquoise actually means Turkish; turquoise gems were mined in the Sinai peninsula and transported across western Turkey.

Today, turquoise as a color and as a gem is connected to the desert southwest. Like any other gem, consider using turquoise in your decor as an accent.

To fully embrace the colors of the southwest, consider a pale palette of tan or sand, leather upholstery, and turquoise throws and pillows for a pop of this wonderful color.

Turquoise Hex code/RGB

The hex color code for turquoise is #40e0d0. The RGB (red, green, blue) color code is 64,224,208.

A great shade of turquoise is Holiday Turquoise (0075) by Sherwin-Williams. This is a vibrant and cheerful shade of turquoise that brings a lively and refreshing feel to any space.

This image shows Holiday Turquoise (0075) by Sherwin-Williams. Hex code: #8DC8BF

Best Uses:

1. Accent Walls: This bold color can be used to create eye-catching accent walls in living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
2. Children’s Rooms: Its playful and energetic vibe makes it a great choice for kids’ bedrooms or playrooms.
3. Bathrooms: Holiday Turquoise can add a spa-like, tropical feel to bathrooms, making the space feel fresh and inviting.
4. Outdoor Spaces: Use this color on patio furniture, planters, or even exterior doors to bring a pop of color to outdoor areas.

Colors that Compliment Holiday Turquoise:

1. Whites and Creams: These neutrals help balance the vibrancy of Holiday Turquoise, creating a clean and airy look.
2. Coral and Peach: These warm tones complement the coolness of turquoise, adding a harmonious contrast.
3. Navy Blue: For a nautical or coastal theme, pair Holiday Turquoise with navy blue.
4. Soft Grays: Light gray tones can create a sophisticated and modern palette when combined with turquoise.
5. Gold and Brass Accents: Metallics like gold and brass add a touch of elegance and warmth to the vibrant turquoise.

Holiday Turquoise (0075) by Sherwin-Williams is a versatile and lively color that can brighten up a variety of spaces, making it a great choice for both interior and exterior applications.

Hex code: #8DC8BF

LRV: 50.95

Get a peel and stick paint sample of Holiday Turquoise by Sherwin Williams here.

Cyan

In terms of a mixing ratio, cyan is the lightest of these three colors. You can get cyan by lightening teal or turquoise, or you can start with white, add a bit of yellow to create a tint the color of whipped butter, then add blue until you have the shade you want.

When mixing color on a palette, pay special attention to the brush you use.

Mixing color with a flat-tipped brush can lead to build-up along the edge; you may think you have the shade you want, then try to paint a straight edge and find that excess paint along the edge of the brush gives you a much different line than you intended.

This can be wonderful, or it can be frustrating. If need be, use a sturdy round brush to mix, then switch to a flat-tipped brush to apply.

True cyan is quite a strong color in large doses. It’s bright enough to be visually startling and may make it hard to add other colors to your space.

If your decor is eclectic, consider using cyan in small doses. For example, a built-in white bookcase with a cyan interior backing can make your books and display items pop without making your denim sofa look greyed out or worn.

A room dominated by bold cyan, green and blue objects may appear dirty.

Blue and green are the colors of the sky and plants. It makes sense that they work together as well inside your home as they do in the great outdoors.

If you’re decorating with any of these colors, make sure you put up samples to study how these colors appear at different light levels and with your favorite possessions.

Cyan Hex code/RGB

The hex color code for cyan is #00FFFF. The RGB (red, green, blue) color code is 0,255,255.

A great shade of cyan is Cool Aqua (2056-40) by Benjamin Moore. This is a vibrant and refreshing shade that combines the calming qualities of blue with the invigorating aspects of green.

The following image shows Cool Aqua (2056-40) by Benjamin Moore. Hex code: #1BB3B7.

Best Uses:

1. Bathrooms: Cool Aqua can create a serene, spa-like atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms.
2. Kitchens: It works well on kitchen cabinets or as a backsplash color, adding a fresh and clean look.
3. Living Rooms: Use it to bring a lively and energetic feel to living spaces, either on walls or through accent pieces.
4. Bedrooms: This color can create a calming yet uplifting environment, perfect for bedrooms.
5. Outdoor Spaces: Ideal for patio furniture, planters, or exterior doors, Cool Aqua brings a vibrant and cheerful touch to outdoor areas.

Colors that Compliment Cool Aqua:

1. Whites and Neutrals: Crisp whites and soft neutrals can balance the vibrancy of Cool Aqua, creating a clean and airy look.
2. Coral and Peach: These warm tones provide a lovely contrast to the coolness of aqua, adding warmth and balance.
3. Navy Blue: Pairing Cool Aqua with deeper shades of blue can create a sophisticated and nautical theme.
4. Soft Grays: Light gray tones can create a modern and elegant palette when combined with Cool Aqua.
5. Yellow: Bright yellow accents can add a cheerful and sunny contrast, making the space feel vibrant and lively.
6. Metallics: Silver and chrome accents can enhance the refreshing feel of Cool Aqua, adding a touch of modernity and elegance.

Cool Aqua (2056-40) by Benjamin Moore is a versatile and dynamic color that can be used in various design styles, from modern and contemporary to coastal and tropical. Its ability to evoke feelings of calmness and energy makes it a popular choice for many interior and exterior applications.

Hex code: #1BB3B7

LRV: 36.77

Get a peel and stick paint sample of Cool Aqua by Benjamin Moore here.

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