Chart / 1000 series / RAL 1003 Signal yellow
RAL 1003 Signal yellow
A light, strong yellow on screen. First published on this chart 23 April 2013.
This swatch is a screen approximation of the colour. Check a physical RAL fan deck or a painted sample of the actual product before you order or match anything.
| Hex (sRGB) | #F9A800 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 249, 168, 0 |
| HSL | 40°, 100%, 49% |
| CMYK (naive) | 0, 33, 100, 2 |
| CIE Lab (from sRGB) | 74.9, 19.8, 78.6 |
| Relative luminance | 48.1% |
| Text contrast | white text 2:1, black text 10.6:1 |
Values are derived from the approximate hex above. CMYK is a simple conversion, not a print recipe: printers convert through their own profiles. Luminance is a screen figure, not a measured light reflectance value (LRV) from a paint data sheet.
How RAL 1003 reads
Strong, saturated and warm, signal yellow leans further towards orange than many people expect from the name. Next to RAL 1023 traffic yellow it looks a touch deeper, and it is far richer than the pale, greenish RAL 1016 sulfur yellow.
Where it turns up
Yellows this strong are used for warning marking, bollards, handrails, machinery guards and playground metal. Yellow is a weak hider, so put it over a white or light grey primer and budget for an extra coat.
Ordering RAL 1003 in paint or powder
Quote the number, not just the name: say "RAL Classic 1003" and add the gloss level, the product type (wall paint, metal paint, powder, aerosol) and the surface. The same number mixed by two makers, or in two gloss levels, can look slightly different, so keep a whole job in one batch and look at a sample in daylight first. The paint counter guide covers the questions to ask.