Introduction
The Natural Colour System (NCS) is an internationally recognised system that describes colours as the human eye perceives them. NCS makes it possible to unambiguously designate any conceivable colour, regardless of material, medium or production process.
An NCS colour code is the precise notation by which a colour is recorded within this system — essential for designers, architects and colour professionals.
What does an NCS colour code look like?
A standard NCS colour code may look like this, for example:
S 2050-Y90R
This code contains all relevant information about how the colour is visually perceived: blackness, saturation and hue.
| Component | Meaning |
|---|---|
| S | Standard reference (denotes the official NCS standard colours) |
| 20 | Blackness: percentage of visual resemblance to "black" |
| 50 | Chromaticness / saturation: how strong the colour is, visual intensity |
| Y90R | Hue: base colour (Y = Yellow), plus shift towards Red (90% towards R) |
For example: S 2050-Y90R describes a colour that belongs to the standard NCS colours, with 20% blackness, 50% chromaticness and a hue in the yellow-red quadrant that shifts 90% towards red. The colour therefore appears virtually red, but formally still belongs to the yellow hue family.
The six elementary colours of NCS
In the NCS system, all colours are analysed in terms of resemblance to six "elementary colours", as our eye perceives them:
White (W)
Black (S)
Yellow (Y)
Red (R)
Blue (B)
Green (G)
All other colours are visual mixtures, expressed as resemblance to two or more of these elementary colours.
Why does NCS work as a colour code system?
Visual & perception-based
NCS describes colours as we see them, not how they are technically mixed. This makes the notation intuitive and relevant for design, communication and visualisation.
Universally applicable
The same NCS code applies regardless of whether the colour is used on paint, textiles, plastics, digital displays or print.
Standardised and objective
Because the system is recognised and used worldwide, colours can be precisely specified, communicated and identified in design, production and quality control.
Practical use of an NCS colour code
With an NCS colour code you can:
- Communicate colours precisely with clients, suppliers or manufacturers.
- Compare colour samples and fans and specify paint products exactly.
- Design colour harmonies and colour schemes with reliable references.
- Apply colours consistently — regardless of material or production method.
Would you like to determine or communicate colours precisely?
Order an NCS colour fan or NCS colour samples from our webshop — and you will have the physical reference needed for professional colour application.