Colors That Start With X: 8 Shades & Hex Codes
If you’ve ever called a color xanthic, xenon-bright, or just plain X-rated bold, you already know X is a tricky letter. Very few colors start with it. Here are the colors that start with X, and each one is real.
This guide lists 8 of them. You will meet Xanadu and Xanthous. You will also find four X11 colors from early computer screens.
Each entry has a name, a Hex code, RGB values, and CMYK values. Copy any code and use it in your next project. The list is short, so each color gets extra detail.
Quick Tip: Pick Hex or RGB for anything on a screen. Pick CMYK for anything you print. The CMYK values are approximate screen-to-print conversions. Always check a printed proof.
Why So Few Colors Start With X?
English has very few words that start with X. Most come from Greek, like xanthic. Others come from computing, like X11. That is why this list is short.
The X11 colors need a short note. X11 is an old system for screens. It gave names to many colors. Some of those names, like gray and green, later changed in web code. So X11 Gray and web gray are not the same.
Quick Jump Guide: Color Families Covered
Not sure where to start? Here is what you will find among these color names that start with X:
- Reds: X11 Maroon
- Blues: none in this list
- Greens: Xanadu, X11 Green
- Browns: none in this list
- Neutrals: X11 Gray
- Pinks and purples: Xiketic, X11 Purple
- Yellows and oranges: Xanthic, Xanthous
Want to browse by hue? Skip to the family table after the list. If not, let’s dive in.
The Full List of Colors That Start With X
Below are all 8 shades starting with the letter X. They run in alphabetical order. Names with numbers come first. Take your time. A few names are close cousins, and we point those out as we go.
X11 Gray
Light, neutral gray with no tint. It is much lighter than the web color gray. Hex: #BEBEBE | RGB: 190, 190, 190 | CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 25
X11 Green
Pure, glowing green with a sharp edge. It has the same code as the web color lime. Hex: #00FF00 | RGB: 0, 255, 0 | CMYK: 100, 0, 100, 0
X11 Maroon
Rich raspberry-red with a pink-purple tint. It is far brighter than the web color maroon. Hex: #B03060 | RGB: 176, 48, 96 | CMYK: 0, 73, 45, 31
X11 Purple
Vivid, electric purple with a blue lean. It shares its code with Veronica, and it is far brighter than the web color purple. Hex: #A020F0 | RGB: 160, 32, 240 | CMYK: 33, 87, 0, 6
Image caption: Swatch grid of X colors including Xanadu, Xanthic, Xanthous, and Xiketic.
Xanadu
Muted gray-green with a cool, calm tone. It is named for the dreamy place in a famous poem by Coleridge. Hex: #738678 | RGB: 115, 134, 120 | CMYK: 14, 0, 10, 47
Xanthic
Sharp lemon yellow with a slight green lean. The name comes from the Greek word for yellow. Hex: #EEED09 | RGB: 238, 237, 9 | CMYK: 0, 0, 96, 7
Xanthous
Warm, golden yellow with an orange glow. It shares its Greek root with Xanthic, but it is richer and warmer. Hex: #F1B42F | RGB: 241, 180, 47 | CMYK: 0, 25, 80, 5
Xiketic
Deep, muted purple with a gray tint. It looks calm, moody, and a bit royal. Hex: #503A65 | RGB: 80, 58, 101 | CMYK: 21, 43, 0, 60
That wraps up the list. Now let’s sort them by hue.
Colors Grouped by Family
This table groups every color above by its main hue. Use it to find greens, purples, or yellows fast.
Image caption: Color wheel showing how these X shades spread across green, purple, yellow, red, and neutral families.
| Family | Color Names |
| Reds (1) | X11 Maroon |
| Blues (0) | None in this list |
| Greens (2) | X11 Green, Xanadu |
| Browns (0) | None in this list |
| Neutrals (1) | X11 Gray |
| Pinks and Purples (2) | X11 Purple, Xiketic |
| Yellows and Oranges (2) | Xanthic, Xanthous |
A few colors look alike. Xanthic and Xanthous are both yellows, but Xanthous is warmer. X11 Purple and Veronica share one code. Now let’s compare the X11 colors with their web twins.
X11 Colors vs. Web Colors
Four X11 names look the same as web names. Their codes are different. The table shows the gap.
| Name | X11 Hex | Web (CSS) Hex | Main Difference |
| Gray | #BEBEBE | #808080 | X11 is much lighter |
| Green | #00FF00 | #008000 | X11 is far brighter |
| Maroon | #B03060 | #800000 | X11 is pinker and brighter |
| Purple | #A020F0 | #800080 | X11 is more electric |
Image caption: Side-by-side swatches of X11 and web gray, green, maroon, and purple, with Hex codes labeled.
How to Read Hex, RGB, and CMYK Codes
You have seen three codes under every color. Here is what each one means. We will use Xanthous as the example.
Hex is a six-digit code that starts with #. The first two digits set red. The next two set green. The last two set blue. Xanthous is #F1B42F. Use Hex for websites, apps, and slides.
RGB uses three numbers from 0 to 255. They show how much red, green, and blue light to mix. Xanthous is 241, 180, 47. Use RGB for anything shown on a screen.
CMYK uses four numbers from 0 to 100. They show the share of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. Xanthous is 0, 25, 80, 5. Use CMYK for print jobs like flyers and packaging.
Image caption: Side-by-side diagram of one color shown as Hex, RGB, and CMYK, with labels for screen use and print use.
One more point. Screens glow, but ink does not. So neon colors, like X11 Green, may look duller in print. Now let’s put these codes to work.
How to Use These Colors
Colors work best when you use them with a plan. Here are simple tips for four fields.
Graphic Design
Pick one strong color and two quiet ones. Try Xiketic (#503A65) as the base. Add a pop of Xanthous (#F1B42F). Keep the rest light. Clean space makes bold colors shine.
Web Design
Choose a calm color for large areas. Use a bright one for buttons and links. X11 Gray (#BEBEBE) suits borders and dividers. Xiketic (#503A65) works well for headings. Xanthic (#EEED09) makes a sharp highlight. Always check text contrast before you publish.
Interior Design
Soft, muted colors make a room feel calm. Xanadu (#738678) is great for walls. X11 Gray (#BEBEBE) suits rugs and trim. Add a touch of Xanthous (#F1B42F) in cushions or art.
Fashion
Deep tones feel rich. Bright tones feel bold. Xiketic (#503A65) looks sharp on a coat. X11 Maroon (#B03060) lifts a simple top. X11 Gray (#BEBEBE) works well for accessories.
Four Easy Pairings
- Royal and golden: Xiketic (#503A65) + Xanthous (#F1B42F) + X11 Gray (#BEBEBE)
- Calm and natural: Xanadu (#738678) + Xanthous (#F1B42F) + X11 Gray (#BEBEBE)
- Crisp and modern: X11 Gray (#BEBEBE) + Xiketic (#503A65) + Xanthic (#EEED09)
- Bold and loud: X11 Maroon (#B03060) + X11 Purple (#A020F0) + X11 Gray (#BEBEBE)
Image caption: Four palette strips showing the pairings above, each with its Hex codes labeled under the swatches.
Conclusion
The letter X is small, but it is not dull. You can find calm greens, rich purples, golden yellows, and a bold maroon. All 8 colors that start with X come with codes you can use now.
Save your favorites. Test them on screen and in print. Then build a palette that feels like you.
Ready for more? [Try our color tool] or [explore related colors].
FAQs
What are some colors that start with X?
Popular picks include Xanadu, Xanthic, Xanthous, and Xiketic. You will also find four X11 colors. This guide lists 8 in all.
What is the darkest color that starts with X?
Xiketic (#503A65) is the darkest. It is a deep, muted purple with a gray tint. X11 Maroon (#B03060) is the next darkest.
What yellow colors start with X?
Xanthic (#EEED09) is a sharp lemon with a green lean. Xanthous (#F1B42F) is warmer and more golden. Both names come from the Greek word for yellow.
Do any blue shades begin with X?
No true blues start with X in this list. The closest cool tones are Xanadu (#738678), a gray-green, and Xiketic (#503A65), a deep purple.
Why are there so few colors that start with X?
Few English words start with X. Most come from Greek or from computing. That is why X11 names, like X11 Gray (#BEBEBE), fill so much of the list.
What are X11 colors?
X11 colors come from an early system for computer screens. Four of them, X11 Gray, X11 Green, X11 Maroon, and X11 Purple, differ from their web twins. For example, X11 Green (#00FF00) is far brighter than web green.
What X colors work well for websites?
X11 Gray (#BEBEBE) suits borders and dividers. Xiketic (#503A65) works for headings. Xanthic (#EEED09) makes a sharp highlight on dark pages.
