Color reference
Braces color chart: compare shades before you choose
A braces color chart helps you compare the small elastic ties around brackets. Our chart includes ten preset colors and two custom examples. It is a digital reference: the names and shades in your orthodontist's supplier chart may differ.
By the bracescolors teamUpdated Color inspiration & product guidance
A shade-by-shade starting point
Ten presets plus deep purple and near-black custom examples. The HEX values describe these digital swatches only.
| Shade | The look | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Lilac / light purple#AD82DF | A soft pastel purple | Compare with deep purple if you want a stronger contrast. |
| Blue#397EE8 | A bright, clear blue | Try navy beside it to decide how dark you want to go. |
| Teal / turquoise#30B4B9 | Between blue and green | Pair with blue for a close color family, or pink for more difference. |
| Green#4B9E42 | A lively mid-green | Try a deeper custom green if this shade feels too bright. |
| Yellow#F9C83D | A sunny, warm accent | Check it against your tooth shade before choosing it for every bracket. |
| Orange#F49A42 | A warm statement color | Combine with navy or black for a bolder seasonal look. |
| Red#DD4A59 | A warm, vivid shade | Compare red alone with red and blue for a team-inspired pair. |
| Pink#ED80B0 | A playful rosy color | Lilac makes a softer pair; navy adds a dark accent. |
| Navy / dark blue#263957 | A deep, cool shade | Try it beside silver when deciding between contrast and subtlety. |
| Silver / gray#AAB0B9 | A neutral near the hardware color | A useful starting point for a quieter look; it does not hide the brackets. |
| Deep purple#63349D | A custom jewel-tone purple | This is a digital example, not a supplier's exact shade code. |
| Black#25232B | A custom near-black | Try it alone and with silver to judge how bold the contrast feels. |
Swipe the chart sideways to compare all columns.
How to use this braces color chart
Read across each row to compare the visual style and a useful alternative. Select a preview link to carry the exact digital color into the smile picker. You can view the example, then sign in to change the selection or save it.
The chart separates nearby shades that are easy to confuse in a small swatch: lilac is a lighter purple, navy is darker than our blue, and teal sits between blue and green. The on-screen silver is a flat color approximation, not a simulation of a metallic finish.
A color chart and a color wheel do different jobs
A chart gives you named starting points. A color wheel lets you explore between those points. In the photo studio, open Custom color, choose a hue, adjust its lightness and saturation, or enter a HEX value. You can choose a different custom shade for each slot in a two-color look.
A precise digital selection is helpful when saving a recipe or comparing two previews. It does not mean the clinic can supply that exact shade. Ask which real sample is closest, and keep a second option from their chart.
Why are clear and white not the same as silver?
Clear ties are transparent; white ties are opaque; silver is a gray-looking option. They are not interchangeable. This picker colors an illustration of elastic ties on metal brackets, so it does not reproduce transparent material or convert the hardware into ceramic braces.
Ceramic braces describe the bracket material, rather than simply a white elastic color. Colgate explains this distinction in its guide to white braces. Ask your orthodontist about appliance choices separately from band colors.
Use the same screen and the same smile
Try your first and second choices on one image before comparing screenshots taken on different phones. Automatic brightness, warm screen modes and room lighting can change how a color appears. For an appointment, use the preview to explain your direction and the real samples to choose the final shade.
Blue, pink, black or purple are broad color families, not standardized products. If you already liked a previous set of bands, ask your clinic for the same supplier shade instead of relying on a similar color name online.
Common questions
Does every orthodontist use the same braces color wheel?
No. Suppliers and clinics offer different ranges and may use different names for similar shades. This digital chart is a comparison tool, not a complete catalog of every band available.
Can I ask for a custom HEX color at my appointment?
You can show it as a reference, but a HEX code describes a screen color. Your orthodontist can help choose the closest available elastic shade; an exact match is not guaranteed.