University of Memphis School Colors
University of Memphis' school colors are Memphis Blue (#00498F) and Memphis Gray (#9C9EA1). Memphis' brand standards define 4 colors in all; every official HEX, RGB, CMYK and Pantone value is listed below, along with the story of how the colors were chosen.
History of the Memphis colors
According to the University of Memphis brand guidelines, students chose blue and gray as the school colors in 1912, the year the university traces its founding to. The guide says the colors were picked to symbolize the nation's reunification after the Civil War, reflecting a spirit of unity. The same guide notes that the Tiger became the school's mascot in 1939.
Sources: memphis.edu
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Memphis primary colors
| Color | HEX | RGB | CMYK | Pantone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Blue | #00498F | 0, 73, 143 | 100, 75, 0, 5 | PMS 2945 C | |
| Memphis Gray | #9C9EA1 | 156, 158, 161 | 0, 0, 0, 45 | PMS 422 C PMS Metallic 877 (special printing needs only) |
Memphis secondary colors
| Color | HEX | RGB | CMYK | Pantone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brister Blue | #193059 | 25, 48, 89 | 100, 70, 5, 45 | PMS 534 C | |
| Mynders Gray | #E2E4E6 | 226, 228, 230 | 10, 7, 6, 0 | PMS 427 C |
Matching Memphis colors on clothing
Clothing sold as a given color can be noticeably off from Memphis's official values, and supplier color codes describe the dye target rather than the finished fabric. So we measured the actual fabric color of every garment we carry from product photos and fabric swatches, then compared it to Memphis's official colors. The pieces below are the closest in-stock matches, out of 1266 styles close to Memphis Blue, 1241 styles close to Memphis Gray.
Clothing in Memphis Blue #00498F
Blank apparel whose fabric color is a close match to Memphis Blue, measured from the garment itself. 1266 matching styles in stock.
Clothing in Memphis Gray #9C9EA1
Blank apparel whose fabric color is a close match to Memphis Gray, measured from the garment itself. 1241 matching styles in stock.
Memphis colors: frequently asked questions
What are Memphis school colors?
University of Memphis' school colors are Memphis Blue (#00498F) and Memphis Gray (#9C9EA1).
What is the hex code for Memphis Blue?
Memphis Blue is #00498F (RGB 0, 73, 143, CMYK 100, 75, 0, 5).
What is the hex code for Memphis Gray?
Memphis Gray is #9C9EA1 (RGB 156, 158, 161, CMYK 0, 0, 0, 45).
What Pantone color is Memphis Blue?
Memphis Blue is PMS 2945 C.
What Pantone color is Memphis Gray?
Memphis Gray is PMS 422 C and PMS Metallic 877 (special printing needs only).
Why are Memphis' colors Memphis Blue and Memphis Gray?
According to the University of Memphis brand guidelines, students chose blue and gray as the school colors in 1912, the year the university traces its founding to. The guide says the colors were picked to symbolize the nation's reunification after the Civil War, reflecting a spirit of unity.
Color values are taken from the official University of Memphis brand standards (source), checked October 2026. Sweatshirt Station is not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Memphis. We sell blank apparel in matching colors; no logos or trademarks are sold. Photos are used under their Creative Commons or public domain licenses and are credited above.