Microsoft has quietly adjusted its classic Office “red,” shifting to a slightly softer. While the change may seem minor, it means improved readability and compliance with accessibility standards. But there’s a downside too in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on both Windows and Mac, ensuring users get a color that looks the same but works better for everyone.
A subtle shift in shade and a little step forward in making Microsoft 365 a little easier on the eyes, for everyone. Don’t forget there are many other ‘official’ red colors, including one from Microsoft!
What exactly changed?
The old red (RGB 255, 0, 0 or Hex #FF0000 ) was a little too loud—not in volume, but in contrast. It didn’t meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) when used for body text on a white background.
In response, Microsoft has adjusted the default Red shade just slightly to RGB 238, 0, 0, or Hex #EE0000 a shift that boosts contrast and legibility. It’s not just for text, but all color selections.
The Color selector in Microsoft 365 apps (Windows or Mac) still shows ‘Red’ among the standard colors, but that exact Red has (or will soon change).
It’s still red. Just a more considerate red.
Keep in mind …
Any change, however small, will cause trouble. This change of the default shade of Red probably won’t be noticed by most people but there are consequences that Microsoft hasn’t mentioned.
There’s no way to tell which ‘Red’ has been used, at least not from the color selector which only shows the ‘Red’ label, before or after the change.
The only way to be sure is to use “More Colors” below the color swatches then look at the RGB or Hex color codes.
Any ‘Red’ set in existing documents will NOT change.
However, if you add more ‘Red’ text or objects they will use the new Red shade. That mean there could be a ‘Red’ mismatch between older and newer parts of the same document. sheet or slide.
Who gets it?
This update rolled out in Microsoft 365 apps, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
- Windows: v2411 build 18324.20012 and later
- Mac: v16.92 build 24120731 and later
If those version numbers look familiar, the new red is already live. If not, it’s just a software update away.
Many other official Reds
The new Microsoft 365 ‘Red’ complies with the Web Content Guidelines but there are other places with a strictly defined ‘Red’.
Safety Signs use ‘Signal Red’ which is RGB: 161, 38, 45 / #A1262D
Supreme uses a bold Red (255,0.0 #FF0000) in other words, the previous Office Red default.
Microsoft itself uses a different red RGB 232, 17, 35 / #E81123, as documented in their Microsoft Visual Identity Guidelines.
Many companies have their own ‘Red’ and none of them match the new or old Office default,
Pantone Red 032 C 239, 51, 64 #EF3340
Coca-Cola 228, 0, 43 #E4002B
Levi’s Red Tab 186, 12, 47 #BA0C2F
Lego 207, 10, 44 #CF0A2C
Target 204, 0, 0 #CC0000
Ferrari (Rosso Corsa) 255, 28, 0 #FF1C00
Toyota 200, 16, 46 #C8102E
Red Cross 237, 28, 36 #ED1C24
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