Screens, print and codes
Why RAL colours look different on every screen
A RAL number names a physical colour, but your laptop and phone each redraw it their own way. Here is why the hex values drift and what to trust before ordering.
Read the noteChart / 6000 series / RAL 6005 Moss green
RAL 6005 Moss green
A very dark, moderately strong blue green on screen. First published on this chart 1 September 2012.
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) | #0F4336 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 15, 67, 54 |
| HSL | 165°, 63%, 16% |
| CMYK (naive) | 78, 0, 19, 74 |
| CIE Lab (from sRGB) | 24.9, -20.6, 3 |
| Relative luminance | 4.4% |
| Text contrast | white text 11.2:1, black text 1.9:1 |
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 6005 reads
Moss green is a deep, rich green with a cool, slightly blue cast, greener than RAL 6004 blue green and a little brighter than RAL 6009 fir green. It is the classic dark green of park benches and old garden gates.
Where it turns up
It is common on railings, gates, garden furniture, fencing and machinery. Use a dark grey primer for coverage on bare metal, and a satin finish to hide small surface marks.
Ordering RAL 6005 in paint or powder
Quote the number, not just the name: say "RAL Classic 6005" 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.