The main difference between Viridian and Pine is hue — Viridian is a cool-leaning teal, while Pine is a cool-leaning cyan. Viridian and Pine are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Viridian (#40826D) and Pine (#01796F) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.
Pine is more saturated (98% HSL vs 34%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Viridian can feel washed out when printed small.
Pine hits a 5.30:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Viridian only reaches 4.53:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Viridian is a cool-leaning tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Pine leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Viridian is the more muted of the two (34% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Pine's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Viridian (#40826D) is a dark, muted teal with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.
Pine (#01796F) is a dark, vivid cyan with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.