Frequently Asked Questions

The Natural Colour System is a scientifically based colour model that describes colours based on human visual perception. The system uses six elementary colour sensations: white, black, yellow, red, blue, and green.

An NCS colour code consists of three components: blackness (s), chromaticness (c), and hue (H).

- **s – blackness:** how dark the colour is - **c – chroma / chromaticness:** how colourful the colour is - **H – hue:** the ratio between the elementary colour sensations

Yes. NCS is used worldwide in design, interior, architecture, industry, and education.

- **NCS:** based on visual perception - **RAL:** industry standard for coatings and construction - **Pantone:** focused on graphic design and print ---

On average 5–10 years, depending on usage and light exposure.

Yes, NCS colours remain consistent. Minor tolerances are possible.

Yes, as long as the colours are not visibly aged or faded.

- **Index:** compact fan with all colours - **Atlas:** systematic display for analysis and colour relationships

Store the fan closed, dust-free, and out of direct sunlight. ---

They provide a reliable approximation of the closest NCS colour.

- **NCS Colour Scan:** gives direct NCS codes - **ColorReader PRO:** measures spectrally and can convert to NCS, RAL, and other collections

The device selects the closest match within the NCS system. 100% accuracy on every surface is not possible.

For speed, objectivity, hard-to-reach surfaces, or quality control.

Yes, especially the Datacolor ColorReader (PRO) supports conversions to **NCS and other colour collections**. ---

Yes, in Adobe, CAD, SketchUp, and other design programmes. Calibration remains important.

Conversions are approximations. On **ncskleuren.nl** you will find RGB, CMYK, and HEX values at: - the colour samples overview page - each individual NCS colour page

Digital display is indicative. A screen works with RGB light, so minor deviations are normal.

Yes, via RGB/HEX input or colour profiles.

Online tools vary considerably. **The conversion values on ncskleuren.nl are compiled using professional methods** and offer the most reliable approximation for design and documentation. ---

By systematically analysing hue, nuance, and contrast with fans and design tools.

With a colour reader or visual comparison with reference sets or fans.

Use the systematic structure of NCS: series by hue, nuance groupings, and light/dark series.

Index, Atlas, design tools, colour readers, and samples.

- **Interior:** Index + full-surface fans - **Architecture:** Index + design tools - **Industry:** colour readers + Index Box + NCS Album ---

Yes, we supply the official NCS products.

1–2 business days for products in stock.

Yes, we ship to all Benelux countries and the rest of the EU.

- **Benelux:** €7.95 (NL) / €9.95 (BE/LU) – free from €250 - **Other EU:** €20.00 - **Outside EU:** contact us for a quote

See the return policy page for all terms and conditions.

Yes, on manufacturing defects in accordance with NCS terms. ---

Yes, via Kleurenschool.nl.

Yes, a compact introductory training for NCS.

Via the courses and modules on Kleurenschool.nl.

A professional knowledge community with articles, cases, and in-depth content.

With certain orders, access or introductory material may be offered. ---

At ncskleuren.nl, the NCS web shop of the Netherlands Colour Institute (Stichting Nederlands Kleur Instituut, SNKI). We have supplied original NCS products in the Netherlands for more than 35 years, sourced through the European NCS distribution: the NCS Index 2050, the NCS Atlas 2050, single colour samples of all 2050 standard colours, colour readers and reference books. From our own stock, dispatched within 1–2 working days to the Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of the EU.

The current price is on the product page of the NCS Index 2050 under Colour fans. In-stock items are dispatched within 1–2 working days. Shipping: €7.95 within the Netherlands, €9.95 to Belgium and Luxembourg, free from €250; other EU countries €20.00. Business customers in the EU with a valid VAT number order with reverse-charge VAT.

The NCS Index 2050 is the everyday tool: all 2050 standard colours in a compact fan, for choosing colours and communicating them by code. The NCS Atlas 2050 shows the same colours arranged systematically by hue, for analysing colour relationships and building palettes. Single samples (A9 to A4) are for colour advice and client presentations; A4 shows a colour at real size. If you need to identify existing colours, a colour reader (NCS Colour Pin II or Datacolor ColorReader PRO) complements the fan.

You can find the nearest RAL colour, not an exact translation. NCS describes colour perceptually and covers the whole spectrum; RAL is a fixed, numbered collection whose colours do not coincide with NCS colours. The colour conversion tool of the Netherlands Colour Institute (snki.nl/en/kleuren-omzetten) gives the nearest colour per system, and every colour page on this site lists HEX, RGB and LAB values. For a reliable match, place the original NCS and RAL samples side by side under daylight. We supply both systems and advise on them.

Most paint manufacturers mix to NCS codes through their own tinting system. The result is an approximation within the tolerance of that paint system: the available bases and pigments determine how close the mixed paint comes to the standard. Gloss level, substrate, film thickness and the light in the room also change how the same colour looks. Always judge a painted test area against the original NCS sample under daylight before painting the whole room.

Digitally you can look up and measure NCS colours, not judge them. Every NCS colour on this site has its own page with HEX, RGB and LAB values derived from the NCS standard. Colour readers such as the NCS Colour Pin II and the Datacolor ColorReader PRO measure an existing surface and return the nearest NCS code. A screen works with light and renders the same value differently on every device; choosing and approving a colour still requires a physical sample under daylight.

The NCS standard collection (edition 2050) contains 2050 colours, all available as physical samples. The system itself is larger than the collection: any perceivable colour can be described with an NCS notation. The structure follows human perception, with six elementary colour sensations (white, black, yellow, red, blue and green). A colour is described by blackness, chromaticness and hue; the hue lies on a circle between yellow (Y), red (R), blue (B) and green (G).

S means the colour is a standard colour from the NCS collection. The first two digits (20) are the blackness: 20% black. The next two (30) are the chromaticness: 30% colour strength. What remains, here 50%, is the whiteness. After the hyphen comes the hue: Y90R means yellow with 90% red, a colour that is almost red. S 2030-Y90R is therefore a light, muted red-orange. A colour on the grey axis has no hue and is written with N, for example S 2000-N.

NCS Lightness is the lightness value NCS publishes for each colour, on a scale from 0 (black) to 1 (white). Blackness alone does not tell you how light a colour looks, because hue and chromaticness also count: a saturated yellow is much lighter than a saturated blue with the same blackness. With the v value you compare the lightness of two colours directly, for example to obtain enough lightness contrast between wall and window frame or between floor and step.

NCS was developed in Sweden and is the national colour standard there and in Norway. Beyond that it is used internationally in architecture, interiors, design, industry and education. In the Netherlands, architects, interior designers, colour consultants and paint manufacturers use NCS alongside RAL: NCS to choose and describe colours across the whole spectrum, RAL to specify colours for coatings and building products from a fixed collection.

Under Colour samples on this site: all 2050 NCS standard colours are available singly in A9, A8, A6, A5 and A4, and in bulk for projects and production. Find the colour in the colour overview and choose the format; A4 samples show a colour at real size and are the format of choice for presentations and colour advice.

It depends on the product. For coatings, window frames and building products from a fixed collection, RAL is customary because manufacturers carry those colours as standard. For walls, ceilings and colour concepts across the whole spectrum, NCS is the better system because every colour can be described and mixed exactly. Always specify the code together with the gloss level and attach a physical sample as reference. The Netherlands Colour Institute supplies both systems and advises on the choice.