NCS Colour Codes — Natural Colour System Reference

Browse the Natural Colour System (NCS) with 1,950 standardised colours used in architecture, interior design and the Scandinavian building standard. Search by NCS notation or hue family to find HEX, RGB and CMYK values with Pantone, RAL and Indian paint equivalents.

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About the Natural Colour System (NCS)

The Natural Colour System (NCS) is a perceptual colour model developed in Sweden, based on how humans naturally perceive colour. Unlike Pantone or RAL which are ink or pigment catalogues, NCS describes colours by their visual attributes: blackness, chromaticness and hue. The system contains 1,950 standardised colours and is the reference standard in Sweden, Norway, Spain and South Africa, with widespread use in architecture and interior design globally.

NCS notation follows a logical pattern. For example, NCS S 1050-Y90R describes a colour with 10% blackness, 50% chromaticness and a hue 90% from Yellow towards Red (essentially a vivid red-orange). This perceptual logic makes NCS particularly useful for architects and interior designers who need to communicate colour intent clearly. Our database maps every NCS shade to its nearest Pantone, RAL and HEX equivalents and matches it to Indian paint shades from Asian Paints, Berger, Nerolac and Dulux.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Natural Colour System (NCS)?▼
NCS is a perceptual colour system developed in Sweden based on how humans see colour. It describes colours using three attributes: blackness, chromaticness and hue. The system contains 1,950 standardised colours and is widely used in architecture and interior design.
How do I read NCS colour notation?▼
NCS notation follows the format S BBCC-HNN. S marks the second edition. BB is blackness (00-99), CC is chromaticness (00-99), H is the hue quadrant (Y, R, B, G) and NN is the percentage towards the next hue. For example, S 2030-R90B means 20% blackness, 30% chromaticness and a hue 90% from Red towards Blue.
How do I convert NCS to HEX or RGB?▼
Search for any NCS code above and click through to its detail page. The HEX and RGB equivalents are displayed with a one-click copy button. Note that digital values are approximations since NCS is a perceptual system.
Can I find Indian paint equivalents for NCS colours?▼
Yes. Every NCS detail page on Color.Codes.in shows the closest matching shades from Asian Paints, Berger, Nerolac and other Indian brands, ranked by CIE Delta-E accuracy score.
What is the difference between NCS and RAL?▼
NCS is a perceptual system that describes how colours look to the human eye, while RAL is a catalogue of specific pigment formulations. NCS is preferred in architecture and design for communicating colour intent. RAL is preferred in industrial coating and manufacturing for exact colour reproduction.