📊1. From 1950 to 2050 colours
The original systematic collection consisted of 1950 colours.
This was expanded to 2050 colours to:
- •enable more intermediate steps within colour areas
- •create a more even distribution across the colour circle
- •add extra nuance options
- •better support contemporary design and material applications
Important:
the underlying structure of the NCS system has remained completely unchanged.
✓2. What the 2050 colours are and are not
The NCS 2050 collection is:
- ✓a standardised selection of systematic colours
- ✓a reference set for design and production
- ✓consistent across countries, industries and materials
- ✓suitable for communication, comparison and quality control
It is not:
- ✗a complete representation of all possible colours in nature
- ✗a technical pigment or material-based system
- ✗a collection of trend colours or fashion colours
The 2050 colours are deliberately chosen systematic references.
🏗️3. Structure of the NCS 2050 overview
The 2050 colours are organised based on:
a.Hue sequence (hue segments)
Ordered in steps around the complete NCS colour circle.
b.Nuance series within each hue
A fixed set of visual variations within each segment, increasing in:
- •blackness
- •whiteness
- •chromaticness
c.Neutral series (N-series)
Grey tones from light to dark, without chromatic direction.
d.Systematic intermediate steps
Added to make the transition between colour variants more even.
🎯4. Why these specific colours were included
The 2050 colours were selected to meet:
- •visual uniformity: equal steps in perception
- •practical applicability: usable in design and industry
- •material neutrality: applicable to paint, textile, plastic, coatings, print
- •reproducibility: colour agreements are stable over time and production
- •international standardisation: the same colours worldwide
The goal of the collection is stability, not trend sensitivity.
👔5. How professionals work with the 2050 collection
The NCS 2050 colours are used in:
- •design proposals
- •specifications and technical documentation
- •product development
- •architecture and interiors
- •colour inspections and checks
- •maintenance and renovation projects
Because all parties work with the same reference collection, colour agreements remain unambiguous throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
📚6. Where to find the NCS 2050 colours
The official 2050 colours are included in the NCS 2050 design tools such as:
- •NCS Index 2050 (general colour fan)
- •NCS Atlas 2050
- •NCS Colour Sheets (A4 samples)
- •professional reference tools
⚠️ Important:
Digital colours may deviate; therefore always work with physical NCS products.
Work professionally with the NCS 2050 collection?
Use physical references to make colour agreements reliable.
View the NCS Index 2050 and colour samples in our webshop from the Netherlands Colour Institute.
View NCS products →Want to learn more about using the NCS collection?
Take the comprehensive Online NCS Colour Course from the Netherlands Colour Institute via the Kleurenschool.
View the online course →