Brand Colors
McDonald's Brand Colors
McDonald's primary brand colors are McDonald's Yellow (#FFC72C) and McDonald's Red (#DA291C). The yellow Golden Arches are the iconic logo, while red dominates packaging and signage backgrounds, creating one of the most recognized color combinations in global commerce.
| Color | HEX | RGB | Role | Usage |
|---|
| McDonald's Yellow | #FFC72C | rgb(255, 199, 44) | Primary | Golden Arches logo, accent highlights |
| McDonald's Red | #DA291C | rgb(218, 41, 28) | Secondary | Packaging, signage backgrounds, uniforms |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) | Supporting | Text on red, packaging interior, store interiors |
McDonald's chose its red-and-yellow combination based on color-psychology research from the 1960s suggesting red stimulates appetite and yellow attracts attention from a distance. The Golden Arches yellow (#FFC72C) is bright enough to be visible from highway exits, which was a deliberate decision tied to McDonald's drive-through expansion strategy. Some European locations have shifted to a green background since 2009 to signal sustainability, but the global standard remains red.
McDonald's logos always use yellow arches on either a red or white background. The brand never inverts the colors (red arches on yellow). Newer marketing has introduced a softer, friendlier red with slightly less saturation for digital campaigns aimed at younger audiences.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact hex code of McDonald's yellow?
McDonald's Yellow is #FFC72C in HEX, rgb(255, 199, 44) in RGB, and Pantone 123 C in print. It is a warm, saturated yellow chosen for high visibility from a distance.
Why does McDonald's use red and yellow?
Color psychology research from the 1960s suggested red stimulates appetite and yellow attracts attention. McDonald's adopted both to maximize highway visibility and trigger food cravings in passing drivers.
Why are some McDonald's signs green instead of red?
Starting in 2009, McDonald's began testing dark green backgrounds at select European locations to signal environmental responsibility. The change is regional — the global brand standard is still red and yellow.