USAF Color Palettes

For official emblems, the USAF uses a color palette consisting of 40 colors that was developed by The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) (While the TIOH’s official USAF color palette indicates there are 41 colors, #21 is omitted). TIOH is a US Army organization that is responsible for providing heraldic services for all branches of the federal government to include designing and producing official renderings of seals and emblems for the USAF and USSF. TIOH establishes the standards for USAF and USSF insignia worn on official uniforms, to include patches, and the enforces strict quality standards on officially certified manufacturers.

When TIOH completes an official USAF emblem package, it includes: 1) an official rendering, 2) an emblem significance statement or description, and a 3) manufacturing drawing (also referred to as a “cartoon”). The cartoon is used by approved insignia manufacturers to produce an embroidered patch and includes specifications such as the colors and type of yarn (also referred to as “thread” or “cable”) to be used, dimensions and other manufacturing instructions such as the type of border to be used. A version of the TIOH USAF color palette has been used since at least the 1960s and emblem significance statements since that time make reference to the palette.

Subdued Palettes

Emblems rendered and patches produced using from the 40-color palette are known as “full color”. TIOH also developed color palettes that are used to convert full color emblems/patches to “subdued” colors. While TIOH develops the color palette, the actual responsibility for choosing the subdued coloring scheme falls to the Air Force Clothing Office (or its predecessor organizations). There are five subdued palettes that have been or are currently in use by the USAF:

1. Woodland/Forest Subdued.
2. Desert Subdued.
3. Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) Subdued.
4. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) Subdued.
   
5. Spice Brown (OCP) Subdued.

Information on the Palette Tables

TIOH provides the following specific information for each color in the palette:

• Swatch – sample of the actual color.
• Name – TIOH’s name for the color. This may differ from the name used by other entities.
• “Yarn” Number – Also referred to as the “Cable” or “Thread” number, this number corresponds to specially manufactured thread that is used in the production of patches.
• Pantone Matching System (PMS) Color Number – PMS is a proprietary numbering system for colors used in graphic design developed by Pantone, LLC. By using the PMS number, you can use ensure that correct color is reproduced accurately. PMS “Coated” (the color as printed on “coated” paper resulting in glossy finish as found in magazines) are used for the color swatches in the tables below.