Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year is ‘Cloud Dancer’

Pantone has announced Cloud Dancer, a soft shade of white, as its 2026 Color of the Year, the first time the company has ever chosen white. Described as a calming, “blank canvas” tone meant to symbolize fresh starts and quiet reflection, Cloud Dancer is expected to appear across numerous products next year, from smartphones and furniture to Post-it Notes and Play-Doh.

Pantone has selected a Color of the Year since 1999, using it to forecast cultural trends and consumer tastes. The company says Cloud Dancer fits a growing desire for simplicity and understated design, echoing recent “quiet luxury” fashion trends.

Reactions online have been mixed. Some praised the clean aesthetic, while others criticized the choice of white during a tense social and political climate. Still, Pantone says its goal is not to promote specific colors but to highlight how color influences culture, design and consumer behavior.