Contents

Foreword

Committees responsible

Schedule 1 Scope

2 Definitions

3 Categories of colours

4 Framework provided by BS 5252

5 Presentation of colour range overlay 6 Identification of colours

7 Colour matching

Table

1 Colour range for paints

BS 4800 : 1989

Page Inside front cover Back cover

2 2 2 2 3 3 3

4

BS 4800 : 1989

·Schedule

1 Scope

This British Standard specifies, in the form of a schedule, 100 colour's for paints, and their available surface finishes, for building purposes. The colours (see table 1) have been selected from the framework of 237 colours established . in as 5252, which aims to ensure co-ordlnatlcn with the selections·for other materials and applications (see foreword).

NOTE 1. Because of technical or commercial limitations,

the inclusion of a colour in this standard does not necessarily mean that it will be available in all types of paint, or in all categories of surface finish or from all manufacturers (see 3.2 and 3.31.

NOTE 2. The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.

2 Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the definitions given in as 2015 apply together with the following.

2.1 full giosl finish. A smooth and almost mirror-like surface finish, associated with ell-based (e.g alkyd) paints. NOTE. Colours available in this finish are identified by • in table 1 and on the overlay (see clause 5).

2.2 eggshell finish. A surface finish, associated with ell-based (e.g. alkyd) paints, that has less sheen than a full gloss finish (see 2.1).

NOTE. Colours available in this finish are identified by 0 in table 1 and on the overlay (see clause 5).

2.3 silk· finish. A surface finish associated with emulsion paints, that has greater sheen than a matt finish (2.4). NOTE. Colours available in this finish are identified by l> in table 1 and on the overlay lsee clause 5).

~ 2.4 matt finish. A surface finish, associated with t!ll'\ulsion paints, that has little or no sheen.

NOTE. Colours available in this finish are identified by • in table 1 and on the overlay (see clause 51.

3 Categories of colours

3.1 The 100 colours are specified in table 1 by reference to clauses 4 and 6. They are divided into a basic selection of

. 32 colours (including black and white) and two supplementary selections (category G and category M) containing the remaining 68 colours).

Category G colours relate to oil-based full gloss surface finish.

Category M colours relate to emulsion matt and silk and oil-based eggshell finishes.

NOTE. The association of full gloss and eggshell finishes with oil·based le.g. alkyd) paints and of matt and silk or satin finishes with emulsion paints is not absolute. Nevertheless, for technical and commercial reasons, paints not in accordance with the definitions given in clause 2 are not considered 8S being within the scope of this standard.

3.2 The colours in the basic selection are intended to be available in gloss, eggshell, silk and matt finishes.

NOTE. The basic selection of colour should be available from stock from all manufacturers concerned or their agents throughout the UK,

3.3 The colours in the two supplementary selections are those which are available in accordance with individual manufacturers' commercial practice in the respective limited categories of surface finishes.

Category G Comprises 46 colours and category M comprises 34 colours, as shown in table 1. Twelve colours appear in both categories; the other colours are not transferable between the two categories.

4 Framework provided by BS 5252

NOTE 1. The information given in this clause is based on that given in BS 5252.

BS 5252 locates and relates 237 colours in terms of selected steps in the visual attributes of hue, greyness, weight and lightness, although the last attribute is not included in the identification reference (see clause 6).

(a) Hue is the attribute of redness, yellowness, blueness, etc. The framework has 12 horizontal hue rows, plus a further row of neutral colours (i.e. without hue) numbered and named as follows.

02 red· purple 04 red .

06 yellow· red 08 vellow- red 10 yellow

12 green·yellow 14 green

16 blue-green

.. 18 blue_

20 purple· blue 22 violet

24 purple

00 neutral

Two yellow· red rows are included, one (06) of reddish- browns to harmonize with reddish woods, stones, bricks, etc., and the other (08) of yellowishbrowns to harmonize with yellowish woods etc.

(b) Greyness is the estimated grey content of colours . The framework divides the colours into five groups, lettered A to E, representing steps of diminishing greyness as follows.

Group A grey

Group B nearly grey

Group C grey/clear

Group 0 nearly clear

Group E clear

NOTE 2. Greyness diminishes as Munsell chroma increases, but the relationship is not regular.

·Some paint manufacturen ute the term 'utin' to describe this type of surface finish.

2

(c) Weight is a subjective term for the relative character of colours of differing hues, as determined by their greyness and lightness.

The colours in each individual column in the frame-

. work have been selected to have the same weight,

i.e. to offer colours of the same character in the different hues represented. To have the same Weight colours are required to have the same greyness and be adjusted as necessary in lightness. The variations of lightness for the same weight in any column of colours

. are indicated by the value figures in the approximate

Munsell references for all framework colours in .

appendix A of BS 5252 : 1976.

Weight is used in the framework solely to regulate the appearance of the colours within a given column. It is not used for relating one column to another for which purpose lightness is used, as indicated in item (d).

(d) Lightness is the attribute by which surfaoe colours appear to reflect a greater or lesser amount of the incident light. White has highest lightness, black has lowest lightness; all other colours have lightness in between these extremes.

The framework provides for up to eight vertical columns in each greyness group from high lightness to the left to low lightness to the right.

NOTE 3. To meet practical requirements in the middle lightness region of E group, where hue discrimination is at its peak, column 55 serves as an extension of column 53.

NOTE 4. The numbering of the columns across the whole framework is not regular because certain numbers were standardized in BS 4800 before publication of BS 5252 and have been retained for convenience of reference.

Both black and white are clear colours and therefore belong to E group. They are at opposite extremes of lightness outside the range of the eight columns of the group and should properly have positions of their own on the

. right- and left-hand sides respectively. Owing to limited space in the colour card they are shown at the foot of columns 49 and 58 respectively and coded in accordance with BS 5252.

5 Presentation of colour range overlay

The colour selection in this derived colour standard is indicated by the cut-out apertures in the overlay. This is keyed to register with the five-fold composite colour card included in BS 5252 and identifies each colour by its code reference (see clause 6).

The colours in the basic selection are identified on the overlay by a solid black line surrounding the appropriate aperture. The symbols eQAL). below each of these apertures indicate that these colours are intended to be available in all of the four types of surface finish defined in clause 2.

The availability of the colours in the supplementary selections in category G is indicated on the overlay by the symbol. below the appropriate aperture, and in

category M by the symbols ()A.CI (see clause 3).

BS4800: r~

6 Identification of colours

Each colour is identified by a three-part code taken frc.r.r the framework provided by BS 5252 (see clause 4) •

These codes are to be used to identify the colours for purposes of specifying or ordering.

. (a) The first part of the identification code signifies hue and consists of a NUMBER with two numerats, (Neutral colours are designated 00.)

(Il) The second part signifies greyness and consists at a single LETTER.

(c) The th!_rd part signifies weight and consists of a NUMBER with two numerals.

Examples: 08 B 15, 12 045,00 E 53.

Thus codes with the same first pair of numerals identifY colours in the same hue row, codes with the same letter" indicate colours in the same greyness group and codes with the same second pair of numerals identify colours in the same weight column.

NOTE. Approximate Munsell references (see 'Munsell bo<* of color', published by Munsell Color, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

wh ich classify the colours in terms of hue lIB/Uti (lightness) and chroma (saturation), in that order, are given in table 1 as_a f~ guide to the visual properties of the colours in this standard. All Munsell references given in this British Standard are approlUn'larJe and for information only and are not to be used for specifying:",. ordering the colours.

The value figure in these references can be used to give an approximate estimate of the reflectance of each colour. _ a percentage, by substituting it for V in the formula V IV - 11. e.g. the value figures in Munsell references 5Y 6/2 and N7," 6 and 7 respectively which, substituted for V in the formula, give approximate reflectances of 30 % and 42 %.

7 Colour matching

Individual colour cards, approximately 150 mm y to(;.-=are available to represent the colours in this standard,

with the exception of white and black, and shall M ~ for visual colour-matching purposes. Comparisons shall

be made in good diffuse daylight or under an illumir.a:r::complying with BS 950 : Part 1.

NOTE 1. The cards are avai lable either singly or in a com~e""" :2!'_ NOTE 2. When using the individual cards for the purpose -:;f ==-:matching, it is essential to bear in mind that the relative a::.cr-_..r-~ of the surface colours is affected by any differences in gi~ ~ more particularlv, by the character of the light under wl1-t?" -:---

are compared. Thus close matchings under one i lluminarr" -;?J "':;:be close under others. a phenomenon resulting from dv~ 'l

pigment difference and known as metamerism.

NOTE 3. With black and white, the purity of colour acl';,~·<=!::J~ - different finishes is influenced very strongly by the type ";~ pigmentation used and particularly by the nature of the -'OC1·_For this reason colour-matching cards for these two co1o--= ~ not issued.

3

as 4800 : 1989

Table 1. Colour range for paints
NOTE. Clauses 4 and 6 explain the system of colour coding, clause 2 explains the symbols* used to indicate paint finish availability
and 3.1 explains the terms 'category G' and 'category M'.
Group Colour code Hue Paint finish availability* Approximate Munsell .
reference
Basic Supplementary selections
selection
Category G CllIOory M
A 00 A01 Neutral ~ N 8.5
00A05 Neutral ~ N 7
00 A09 Neutral • N 5
00 A 13 Neutral • N 3
10 A03 Yellow .~ 5Y 8/0.5
10 A07 Yellow • 5Y 6/0.5
10 A 11 Yellow • 5Y 4/0.5
.
B 04 B 15 Red 0A6 lOR 9/1
04817 Red 0A6 lOR 8/2
04821 Red ~ lOR 6/2
08815 Yellow-red eoAA 10YR 9.25/1
08 8 17 Yellow-red eoAA B.75YR 8/2
08 821 Yellow-red C;IJt..6. 8.75YR 6/2
08 B 25 Yellow-red • C;IJt..6. 8.75YR 4/2
08 B29 Yellow-red eoAA 8.75YR 2/2
10 B 15 Yellow eoAA 5Y 9.25/1
. 10 B 17 Yellow SY 8/2 -
~
10 B 21 Yellow • ~ SY 6/2
10825 Yellow • ClAtl 5Y 4/2
10 B 29 Yellow • 5Y 2/2
12 B 15 Green-yellow ot.l:> 5GY 9/1
12 B 17 Green·yellow ~ 2.SGY 8/2
12 B 21 Green·yellow • ClAtl 2.5GY 6/2
12 B 25 Green·yellow • ot.l:> 2.5GY 4/2
12 B 29 Green-vellow • 2.5GY 2/2
18 B 17 Blue 0A6 58 8/1
18 B 21 Blue • 58 6/1
18825 Blue • 58 4/1
18 B 29 Blue • 7.58 2/1
22 B 15 Violet 0A6 lOPS 9/1
22 B 17 Violet 0A6 lOPS 8/2
C 02 C 33 Red-purple ~ 7.5RP 8/4
02 C 37 Red· purple ~ 7.5RP 5/6
02 C 39 Red-purple • 7.5RP 3/6
02 C40 Red-purple • 7.5RP 2/4
04 C 33 Red .aA6 7.5R 8/4
04 C 37 Red 0A6 7.SR 5/6
04 c 39 Red • 7.SR 3/6
* • Full gloss finish in oil-based paints; o Eggshell finish in oil-based paints
• Matt finish in emulsion paints; A Silk finish in emulsion paints 4

BS 4800 : 1989

Table 1. (continued)
NOTE. Clauses 4 and 6 explain the system of colour coding, clause 2 explains the symbols' used to indicate paint finish availability
and 3.1 explains the terms 'category G' and 'category M'.
Group Colour code Hue Paint finish availability" Approximate Munsell
reference
Basic Supplementary selections
selection
Category G Category M
C os c 33 Yellow- red eoAC:. 7.5YR 8/4
cont'd D6C 37 Yellow-red 06A 5YR 5/6
oe c 39 Yellow-red eoAC:. 7.5YR 3/6
08 C 31 Yellow-red ~ 10YR 9/2
08 C 35 Yellow-red ~ 10YR 7/6
08 C 37 Yellow-red • 066 10YR 5/6
08 C 39 Yellow-red • 10YR 3/6
10 C 31 Yellow e<)66 5Y 9/2
10 C 33 Yellow ~ 5Y 8.5/4
10 C 35 Yellow ~ SY 7/6
10 C 39 Yellow • 5Y 3/4
12 C 33 Green-yellow ~ 2.5GY 8/4
12 C 39 Green-yellow • 2.SGY 3/4
14 C 31 Green ~ 5G 9/1
14 C 35 Green OAA SG 7/2
14 C 39 Green ~ 5G 3/4
14 C40 Green 5G 2/2 .
•
16 C 33 Blue-green. ~ 7.5BG 8/2
16 C 37 Blue-green • 7.58G 5/4
18 C 31 Blue ~ 58 9.25/1
18 C 35 Blue ~ 7.5B 7/3
18 C 39 Blue • 7.SB 3/4
20 C 33 Purple-blue ~ 5PB 8/4
20C 37 Purple-blue • oAt::. SPB 5/6
20 C40 Purple-blue • 5PB 2/4
22 C 37 Violet • oAt::. 10PB 5/6
24 C 33 Purple ~ -- I··· 7:5P' ---873'---
24 C 39 Purple • 7.5P 3/6
D 04 D44 Red • ~ 7.5R 4/10
04 D 45 Red eQII.t::. 7.5R 3/10
06 D43 Yellow-red • OAC> 7.5YR 6/10
06 D 45 Yellow-red • 5YR 4/8
10 D 43 Yellow • oAt> 5Y 7/10
10 D 45 Yellow • 5Y 5/8
12 D 43 Green-yellow • OAC> 2.5GY 6/8 I
12 D 45 Grsen-vellow • 2.5GY 4/6 1
16 D 45 Blue-green • 7.5BG 3/6
18 D 43 Blue • 7.5B 5/6 I
20 D 45 Purple-blue • 5PB 3/8
22 D 45 Violet • lOPB 3/8
I
•• Full gloss finish in oil-based paints; o Eggshell finish in oil-based paints !
~ Matt finish in emulsion paints; c. Silk finish in emulsion paints j 5

BS 4800 : 1989

Table 1. (concluded)
NOTE. Clauses 4 and 6 explain the system of colour coding, clause 2 explains the symbols· used to indicate paint finish aVlIilability
and 3.1 explains the terms 'category G' and 'category M'.
Group Colour code Hue Paint finish availability· Approximate MuNtIl
r.ference
Basic Supplementary selections
selection
Cetegory G Category M
E 04 E49 Red oA6 7.5R 9/3
04 E 51 Red QA..6. 7.5R 6/12
04 E 53 Red ~ 7.5R 4.5/16
06 E 50 Yellow-red QA..6. 7.5YR 8/8
06 E 51 Yellow-red .oAt. 2.5YR 7/11
06 E 56 Yellow-red • 5YR 5/12
08 E 51 Yellow-red e<)I.6 10YR 1.5/12
10 E 49 Yellow ~ lOY 9/4
10 E 50 Yellow ClAA 5Y 8.5/8
10 E 53 Yellow • 6.25Y 8.5/13
12 E 51 Green-vellow ClAA 2.5GY 8/10
12 E 53 Green·yellow • 5GY 1/11
14 E 51 Green • 2.5G 6.5/8
14 E 53 Green • 5G 5/10
16 E 53 Blue-green • 1.58G 5/8
18 E 49 Blue ~ 58 9/2
18 E 50 Blue ClAA 1.58 8/4
18 E 51 Blue • 1.58 6/8
18 E 53 Blue ~ lOB 4/10
20 E 51 Purple- blue ~ 5PB 6/10
00 E 53 Black ~ N 1.5
-- ---,~,~.'9
00 E 55 White ~ N 9.5
•• FuJI gloss finish in cit-besed paints; o Eggshell finish in oil-based paints
• ,Matt finish in emulsion paints; !I Silk finish in emulsion paints