You see it every Sunday in the fall. A sea of deep, moody purple flooding the stands at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s a vibe that’s honestly unlike any other in the NFL. When the team moved from Cleveland in 1996, they didn't just need a new name; they needed a soul.
What are Baltimore Ravens colors? If you ask a casual fan, they’ll say "purple and black." They aren't wrong, but they're missing the nuances that make this brand one of the most specific and guarded in professional sports. We aren't just talking about any purple. We’re talking about a very specific, "regal" shade that was chosen to bridge the gap between Baltimore’s gritty industrial roots and the literary elegance of Edgar Allan Poe.
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The Official Palette: More Than Just "Purple"
The Ravens operate with a primary trio of colors: Ravens Purple, Black, and Metallic Gold. There’s also a splash of Red that most people forget about until they look closely at the raven’s eye in the logo.
If you’re a designer or just someone trying to paint your man-cave the exact right shade, don’t just grab "Grape" from the hardware store. The Ravens use Pantone 273 C. In the digital world, that’s hex code #241773. It’s a heavy, saturated purple that almost looks black in low light but pops with a blueish tint under stadium LEDs.
Then you’ve got the gold. It isn't a flat yellow like the Steelers or the Packers. It’s Metallic Gold (Pantone 8660 C), hex #9E7C0C. This is the trim. It’s the "prestige" element. The team wanted something that felt like a crown, fitting for a team that leans heavily into the "royalty" symbolism of purple.
And the red? It’s NCS Red (#C8032B). It’s only used for the eye of the raven and small details in the Maryland shield logo. It represents the ferocity of the bird. Basically, it’s the "don’t mess with us" factor.
Why These Colors Actually Matter
When Art Modell brought the team to Baltimore, there was a huge hole left by the Colts. Fans were heartbroken. The new team couldn't be the Colts—the name stayed in Indy—so they had to start from scratch.
They held a fan contest. They looked at focus groups. Eventually, they landed on the Ravens. The colors had to match the "sinister" yet "sophisticated" energy of Poe’s famous poem. Purple and black were relatively rare in the NFL at the time. Most teams were sticking to red, blue, or green.
The Ravens went dark.
By choosing two dark primary colors, they created a "blackout" effect that became synonymous with their early 2000s defense. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs—these guys didn't wear bright, happy colors. They wore the colors of a "dominating, deep dark defense," as some local historians put it. It was about intimidation. Honestly, it worked.
The Uniform Evolution: A History of "Purple Rising"
The uniforms haven't changed much since '96, which is a testament to how well the original design holds up. But there have been some wild experiments.
- 1996: The debut. Purple jerseys, black pants, and a black helmet. The numbers were white with gold outlines.
- 2004: The Black Alternate. This is the "sexy" uniform, according to Lamar Jackson. It’s an all-black look with purple collars. Players love it. Fans love it. It’s become the go-to for primetime night games.
- 2015: The "Gold Pants" Incident. Look, we have to talk about it. For one game against the Chiefs, the Ravens wore bright metallic gold pants. Most fans hated them. They looked like mustard. They haven't been seen since.
- 2024-2026: The "Purple Rising" Era. This is the newest shift. For the first time, the team introduced a metallic purple helmet to pair with their "Color Rush" uniforms. It features gold "talon" stripes and a gold facemask. It’s bold. It’s loud. It’s the first time the helmet hasn't been primarily black.
The Maryland Connection
You can’t talk about what are baltimore ravens colors without mentioning the shield. The secondary logo on the sleeves is a shield that incorporates the Maryland state flag.
Maryland has, objectively, the wildest flag in the union. It’s a mix of the Calvert and Crossland family crests—yellow/black and red/white. The Ravens' shield pulls those elements in, which is why you see those little pops of red and yellow on the uniform sleeves. It ties the team to the city and state history in a way that feels permanent.
Digital and Print Specifics (For the Nerds)
If you're making graphics or merch, getting the balance right is tricky because purple is one of the hardest colors to print accurately.
| Color Name | Hex Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens Purple | #241773 | 36, 23, 115 | 69, 80, 0, 55 |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
| Metallic Gold | #9E7C0C | 158, 124, 12 | 0, 22, 92, 38 |
| Raven Red | #C8032B | 200, 3, 43 | 0, 99, 79, 22 |
The "Blackout" Psychology
There’s a reason the Ravens wear all-black for big games. Color psychology tells us that black denotes authority and strength. In Baltimore, it's more than that. It’s a "working man" color.
When the Ravens announce a "Blackout" game, they’re asking the fans to become a literal wall of darkness. It’s a strategic choice. The purple provides the "royal" identity, but the black provides the "grit."
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Interestingly, the team has experimented with about 12 different uniform combinations. You’ve seen purple on white, white on purple, all-white (the "icy" look they wore in Super Bowl XXXV), and the newer purple-on-purple Color Rush. Each combo changes the "energy" of the team. White on white feels fast and clean. All-black feels heavy and mean.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That the "B" on the raven’s head is just a random font. It’s actually a custom-designed "B" that mirrors the "R" in the original (and controversial) 1996 logo.
Speaking of that original logo—the "Flying B"—it was actually phased out because of a copyright dispute with a local amateur artist named Frederick Bouchat. He claimed he drew the design and faxed it to the Maryland Stadium Authority. He won the legal battle (sort of), but he didn't get the millions he was looking for. However, it forced the Ravens to pivot to the current bird-head logo we see today.
Most people don't realize the current logo was a "Plan B." But honestly? It's better than the original. It’s cleaner, more aggressive, and the way the gold "B" sits on the purple feathers is iconic.
How to Style the Colors
If you're heading to a game, "Ravens Purple" is a hard color to match with everyday clothes. It’s too dark for standard violet and too blue for true royal purple.
The best way to represent is to lean into the black. A black hoodie with a purple Ravens hat is the classic Baltimore "uniform." If you’re going for the Color Rush look, you need that specific shade of gold. Don't wear "yellow" or you’ll look like you’re lost on your way to a Lakers game.
The Future of the Brand
As of 2026, the Ravens are leaning harder into the "Purple Rising" aesthetic. The success of the metallic purple helmets has opened the door for more experimental looks. We might see more gold accents in the future, but the core—the Purple, Black, and Gold—isn't going anywhere. It’s too baked into the city’s identity.
If you are looking to create your own Baltimore-themed content or gear, stick to the #241773 hex code for your purple base. Use the metallic gold sparingly as an accent, and keep the black as your "anchor" color to maintain that intimidating Baltimore edge. For the most authentic look, ensure your "B" logo has that specific gold-to-purple ratio that has defined the team for three decades.