Home /Compare /Teal vs Turquoise

Teal vs Turquoise

What's the difference? Side-by-side comparison with color codes, shades, and usage guide.

Teal#008080
Turquoise#40E0D0
#008080Blended: #20B0A8#40E0D0
Quick Answer

Teal and Turquoise are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Teal (#008080) and Turquoise (#40E0D0) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.

Key Differences

Aspect Teal Turquoise
BrightnessDark — feels deep, rich, groundedLight — feels airy, bright, lively
SaturationMuted — more subdued, restrainedVivid — more colorful, eye-catching
WarmthCooler — leans more toward blueWarmer — leans slightly toward green
MoodSophisticated, calm, professionalPlayful, energetic, tropical
Best forCorporate branding, interiors, formal designSummer themes, jewelry, casual/fun design
CSS nameteal (built-in)turquoise (built-in)

Can you use them together?

Turquoise text on Teal
Teal text on Turquoise
Contrast Ratio:2.91:1Insufficient Contrast

When to use each

Use Teal for:
Corporate websites and branding
Elegant interior design
Professional presentations
Dark-mode friendly UI elements
Formal event invitations
Use Turquoise for:
Summer and tropical themes
Children's products and toys
Beach and travel branding
Jewelry and gemstone marketing
Bright, energetic social media posts

Full Color Details

Teal#008080

Teal is a deep blue-green color named after the Eurasian teal bird. It's widely used in web design, fashion, and interior decor for its calming, sophisticated quality.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
Shades
Tints
Turquoise#40E0D0

Turquoise is a brighter, more vibrant blue-green named after the gemstone. It's lighter and more energetic than teal, evoking tropical waters, summer, and playfulness.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
Shades
Tints

More color comparisons

FAQ

What is the difference between teal and turquoise?+
Teal and Turquoise are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Teal (#008080) and Turquoise (#40E0D0) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.
Is teal darker than turquoise?+
Yes. Teal (#008080) is significantly darker than Turquoise (#40E0D0). Teal has a lightness of 25% in HSL, while Turquoise has 56% lightness.
Can you use teal and turquoise together?+
Yes, they can work well together in a monochromatic or analogous palette since they're both blue-green colors. Their contrast ratio is 2.91:1. Use teal as the dominant/darker color and turquoise as the accent or highlight.
What is the hex code for teal?+
The hex code for Teal is #008080. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 128, 128).
What is the hex code for turquoise?+
The hex code for Turquoise is #40E0D0. In RGB, that's rgb(64, 224, 208).