The Pantone Color Institute on Thursday announced its color of the year 2026 – Cloud Dancer.
Based in Carlstadt, New Jersey, Pantone LLC is best known for its proprietary color naming system—the Pantone Matching System (PMS)—which is used in a variety of industries from fashion to graphic design to manufacturing.
What is Cloud Dancer?
Despite the sophisticated name, Cloud Dancer is, as it turns out, a shade of white.
“A sublime white neutral whose airy presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world. PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer symbolizes a calming influence in a society that is rediscovering the value of quiet reflection,” Pantone said in its announcement.
“Imbued with calmness, woolly white invites true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe,” added the Pantone Color Institute.
What did the netizens say?
While Pantone described the shade of white as “a vibrant calm that encourages renewal, tranquil vision and creative release,” netizens were far from impressed.
“As someone with a master’s degree who teaches color theory, I am beyond disappointed with Pantone’s choice of Color of the Year… White is by definition the absence of color. Pantone is a color company. This choice shows a stunning lack of creativity and a complete disconnect from the art and design community,” one user wrote, commenting on the company’s announcement.
“Wow. When we need color and inspiration more than ever, this is what you give? Tell me that’s not true,” another user said in disbelief.
“Y’all SERIOUS?!,” was another confused reaction, while another user wondered: “Is this rage bait?”
“Do you all want to collaborate on my book White Supremacy Is All Around?” another user asked, bringing a socially charged comment.
Recent Color of the Year announcements
Netizens may have been calling out Pantone given that the last few years, at least in terms of color of the year, have been quite lively.
Last year, Pantone named Mocha Mousse, a warm and rich soft brown shade, as the color of 2025.
A year ago, the company chose Peach Fuzz, “a velvety soft peach note whose all-encompassing spirit enriches the mind, body and soul.”
The company’s choice for 2023, Viva Magenta, was much bolder than the 2025 and 2024 selections: Pantone described it as “a bold and fearless and vibrant color whose exuberance encourages joyful and optimistic celebration.”
