---
url: https://www.questpdf.com/concepts/colors.md
---

# Colors

QuestPDF supports multiple color formats.

```csharp{6,7,11,14}
using QuestPDF.Helpers;

container
    .Padding(20)
    .Border(1)
    .BorderColor("#03A9F4")
    .Background(Colors.LightBlue.Lighten5)
    .Padding(20)
    .Text("Blue text")
    .Bold()
    .FontColor(Colors.LightBlue.Darken4)
    .Underline()
    .DecorationWavy()
    .DecorationColor(0xFF0000);
```

![example](/patterns-and-practices/colors.webp)

## Color definitions

### HEX Colors

A hexadecimal color is specified with: `#RRGGBB`, where the RR (red), GG (green) and BB (blue) hexadecimal integers specify the components of the color.
All values range from 00 to FF, and are case-insensitive.

### Alpha channel

To specify an alpha channel, add two more hexadecimal digits in front of the color code: `#AARRGGBB` where AA is the alpha channel.
The alpha channel defines the transparency of a color and ranges from 00 (fully transparent) to FF (fully opaque).

### Shorthand HEX

You can use shorthand HEX codes with 3 or 4 digits. The library will automatically expand them to the full 6 or 8-digit format.
For example, `#123` will be expanded to `#112233` and `#89AB` to `#8899AABB`.

You can also omit the hash sign (`#`) at the beginning of the color code.

::: warning
Please be aware that in some software the alpha channel is specified at the end of the color code, e.g. `#RRGGBBAA`. This includes the SVG renderer used by QuestPDF: in SVG markup, use `fill-opacity` instead (see [SVG Support](/api-reference/image/svg.md#limitations)).
:::

## Examples

## Material Design colors

For your convenience, QuestPDF provides a list of colors from the Google Material Design palette.

| Variant                 | Recommended Use                                                                     |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Medium Shade (Base)** | Base color for the palette                                                          |
| **Lighter Shades**      | Large background areas or surfaces                                                  |
| **Darker Shades**       | Text, headlines, or elements requiring higher contrast against a lighter background |
| **Accent Swatches**     | Small elements where user attention is needed                                       |