Color

Color is an integral aspect of conveying clear concise data. Our colors are optimized across four backgrounds, meeting or exceeding WCAG 2.0 Level AA Accessibility Guidelines.

Palettes

Neutrals

Our neutrals have been streamlined for on-screen use. They are organized by lightness value from Black (0) to White (100).

  • Black
    $mds-color-black
    #000000
    AAA
  • 12
    $mds-color-neutral-12
    #1e1e1e
    AAA
  • 20
    $mds-color-neutral-20
    #333333
    AAA
  • 37
    $mds-color-neutral-37
    #5e5e5e
    AA
  • 50
    $mds-color-neutral-50
    #808080
    AA18
  • 67
    $mds-color-neutral-67
    #ababab
    AAA
  • 80
    $mds-color-neutral-80
    #cccccc
    AAA
  • 90
    $mds-color-neutral-90
    #e5e5e5
    AAA
  • 95
    $mds-color-neutral-95
    #f2f2f2
    AAA
  • White
    $mds-color-white
    #ffffff
    AAA

Feedback

Feedback colors reinforce a user action and are used in Forms, Alerts, and Notifications. Color alone is not sufficient to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA Accessibility Guidelines. An additional affordance, such as an Icon, must be included.

Error

  • Error
    $mds-feedback-color-error
    #ff0000
    DNP
  • Error Background
    $mds-feedback-color-error-background
    #ffe5e5
    DNP

Warning

  • Warning
    $mds-feedback-color-warning
    #f5c400
    DNP
  • Warning Background
    $mds-feedback-color-error-background
    #fef9e5
    DNP
  • Never use on text.
  • Always pair with $mds-text-color-primary-on-light when using the background variant.

Success

  • Success
    $mds-feedback-color-success
    #00af41
    DNP
  • Success Background
    $mds-feedback-color-success-background
    #e5f7eb
    DNP
  • Never use on text, instead use positive performance text color.
  • Always pair with $mds-text-color-primary-on-light when using the background variant.

Informational

  • Informational
    $mds-feedback-color-info
    #f2f2f2
    DNP
  • Never use on text

Backgrounds

Background colors work in pairs to establish visual hierarchy.

Primary

  • White
    $mds-background-color-white
    #ffffff
  • Black
    $mds-background-color-black
    #000000

Primary backgrounds always contain the product’s focal point. The user is doing most of their work on this background.

Secondary

  • Light Gray
    $mds-background-color-light-gray
    #f2f2f2
  • Dark Gray
    $mds-background-color-dark-gray
    #1e1e1e

Secondary backgrounds offer visual rest from primary backgrounds. They often contain auxiliary elements such as side navigation, card backgrounds, registration forms, or ad-unit containers.

The MDS site uses $mds-background-color-light-gray for the navigation on the left. The site’s content is contained in $mds-background-color-white.

Background color use on the MDS website.

Interactive

Use to establish interactivity and hierarchy between UI components (i.e., mds-button--primary versus mds-button).

  • Default
    $mds-interactive-color-primary-default
    #0077cf
    AA
  • Hover
    $mds-interactive-color-primary-hover
    #005ba1
    AA
  • Active
    $mds-interactive-color-primary-active
    #004376
    AAA
  • Always pair with $mds-text-color-primary-on-dark when used as a background color.
  • Never use $mds-interactive-color-primary-default for text, as this creates an optical imbalance with interactive objects.

Text

Text on any background color must have a minimum foreground-to-background contrast ratio of 4.5:1. This ensures compliance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA Accessibility Guidelines.

Brand logos and disabled text do not have a minimum contrast ratio. All other content, including placeholder text, must meet or exceed 4.5:1.

Primary

Use for fundamental text, such as body copy, Data Table cell data, and List Group items.

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-primary-on-light
    #1e1e1e
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-primary-on-light
    #1e1e1e
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-primary-on-dark
    #ffffff
    AA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-primary-on-dark
    #ffffff
    AA

Secondary

Use for supportive text, such as placeholder text in Forms, Data Table column headers, and metadata.

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-secondary-on-light
    #5e5e5e
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-secondary-on-light
    #5e5e5e
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-secondary-on-dark
    #ababab
    AA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-secondary-on-dark
    #ababab
    AA

In this example, $mds-text-color-secondary-on-light is used for text box placeholder text in Forms, as well as for the readout of disclosure information in small type (metadata).

Secondary text color usage examples.

Error

Use to highlight errors.

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-error-on-light
    #de0000
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-error-on-light
    #de0000
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-error-on-dark
    #ff3300
    AA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-error-on-dark
    #ff3300
    AA

Performance

Use to show positive, neutral, or negative performance in text.

Negative

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-performance-negative-on-light
    #de0000
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-negative-on-light
    #de0000
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-negative-on-dark
    #ff3300
    AA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-performance-negative-on-dark
    #ff3300
    AA

Neutral

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-performance-neutral-on-light
    #5e5e5e
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-neutral-on-light
    #5e5e5e
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-neutral-on-dark
    #ababab
    AAA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-performance-neutral-on-dark
    #ababab
    AAA

Positive

  • On White
    $mds-text-color-performance-positive-on-light
    #008020
    AA
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-positive-on-light
    #008020
    AA
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-text-color-performance-positive-on-dark
    #00af41
    AA
  • On Black
    $mds-text-color-performance-positive-on-dark
    #00af41
    AAA
  • Apply $mds-font-weight-bold as the font weight for text using performance colors.
Do use performance text color constants in tables.
Do use performance text color constants in tables.
Don‘t use <a class="mds-link" href="#performance-2">performance visualization color constants</a> in tables.
Don‘t use performance visualization color constants in tables.

Mixins

Use mixins to apply the text colors listed above across background color containers.

Text Color Mixin

Primary

@include mds-text-color-primary()

Secondary

@include mds-text-color-secondary()

Links

@include mds-text-color-link()

Errors

@include mds-text-color-error()

For example:

[.my-product-class] {
    @include mds-text-color-secondary();
}

will result in the following CSS:

.mds-container--white [.my-product-class],
.mds-container--light [.my-product-class] {
    color: #5e5e5e;
}

.mds-container--dark [.my-product-class],
.mds-container--black [.my-product-class] {
    color: #ababab;
}

Visualization & Charts

We assign specific meanings and orders to colors to create clarity and consistency across widely-used data visualizations.

Asset Allocation

Use to tie data to asset classes.

  • Equity
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-equity
    #1f55a5
  • Fixed Income
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-fixed-income
    #ef7622
  • Alternative
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-alternative
    #a50032
  • Cash
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-cash
    #518428
  • Other
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-other
    #f5c400
  • Not Classified
    $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-not-classified
    #e5e5e5
  • If a product does not use these exact terms when breaking down asset classes, use the color associated with the closest asset class. For example, Real Estate, Commodities and Derivatives would use $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-alternative, Corporate Bonds and Government Bonds would use $mds-visualization-color-asset-allocation-fixed-income.
  • When there are multiple, related asset classes which fall under the same broad asset class umbrella, use tints of the same asset allocation color to communicate that relationship.
    • Create these tint groups with careful consideration to maximize the contrast between the tints in order to aid in legibility and accessibility, i.e., if you need four total colors, using intervals of 25% will allow you the greatest difference between tints, while still providing enough values.
  • Never apply these colors to type, as they don’t meet Accessibility guidelines.

Correlation

Use to show positive or negative correlation within a Correlation Matrix.

  • Positive
    $mds-visualization-color-correlation-positive
    #1f55a5
  • Negative
    $mds-visualization-color-correlation-negative
    #ef7622

Super Sectors

Use to represent data relating to Morningstar Super Sectors.

  • Cyclical
    $mds-visualization-color-sector-cyclical
    #ef7622
  • Sensitive
    $mds-visualization-color-sector-sensitive
    #1f55a5
  • Defensive
    $mds-visualization-color-sector-defensive
    #518428
  • Sectors that underlie a larger Super Sector should inherit the color of the Super Sector. For example, Basic Materials would use the color ascribed to Cyclical.
  • Never apply these colors to type, as they don’t meet Accessibility guidelines.

Sustainability

Use to represent data related to the Morningstar Sustainability Rating.

  • Sustainability
    $mds-visualization-color-sustainability
    #1f55a5

Valuation

Use to represent under, fair, or over valuation.

  • Under
    $mds-visualization-color-valuation-under
    #00a8e1
  • Fair
    $mds-visualization-color-valuation-fair
    #e5efef
  • Over
    $mds-visualization-color-valuation-over
    #ef7622
  • Never apply these colors to type, as they don’t meet Accessibility guidelines.

Performance

Use to show positive, neutral, or negative performance in visualizations.

  • Positive
    $mds-visualization-color-performance-positive
    #00af41
    DNP
  • Neutral
    $mds-visualization-color-performance-neutral
    #e5e5e5
    DNP
  • Negative
    $mds-visualization-color-performance-negative
    #ff0000
    DNP
Do use performance visualization color constants in visualizations.
Do use performance visualization color constants in visualizations.
Don‘t use <a class="mds-link" href="#performance">performance text color constants</a> in tables.
Don‘t use performance text color constants in tables.

Color Order Inside Charts

Use when there are no specific color meanings associated with a visualization.

  • 1
    $mds-chart-color-1
    #1f55a5
  • 2
    $mds-chart-color-2
    #a50032
  • 3
    $mds-chart-color-3
    #f5c400
  • 4
    $mds-chart-color-4
    #518428
  • 5
    $mds-chart-color-5
    #00a8e1
  • 6
    $mds-chart-color-6
    #6a4c9e
  • 7
    $mds-chart-color-7
    #ef7622
  • 8
    $mds-chart-color-8
    #005f5f
  • 9
    $mds-chart-color-9
    #00af41
  • 10
    $mds-chart-color-10
    #e60546
  • 11
    $mds-chart-color-11
    #7d256f
  • 12
    $mds-chart-color-12
    #c19c31
  • 13
    $mds-chart-color-13
    #00beaf
  • 14
    $mds-chart-color-14
    #ff3c00
  • 15
    $mds-chart-color-15
    #89bd40
  • Use colors in order, starting with $mds-chart-color-1 and ascending in order to $mds-chart-color-15. If there are more than 15 items, begin again with $mds-chart-color-1.
  • This color order is intended to be a default for when there are not specific color meanings assigned to the data. Designers may deviate from the default when color can be used to communicate meaning.
  • When using these colors outside of their intended order, use the generic chart colors. $mds-chart-color-10 through $mds-chart-color-15 are intended for use only within the context of the full chart color order and therefore do not have documented generic constants.

Generic Chart Colors

Use when creating visualizations that use chart colors in ways outside of those defined by existing color meanings or orders.

  • Blue
    $mds-color-blue-38
    #1f55a5
    AAA
  • Maroon
    $mds-color-maroon-32
    #a50032
    AAA
  • Yellow
    $mds-color-yellow-48
    #f5c400
    DNP
  • Dark Green
    $mds-color-dark-green-34
    #518428
    AA18
  • Cyan
    $mds-color-cyan-44
    #00a8e1
    DNP
  • Violet
    $mds-color-violet-46
    #6a4c9e
    AA18
  • Orange
    $mds-color-orange-54
    #ef7622
    DNP
  • Teal
    $mds-color-teal-19
    #005f5f
    AAA
  • Green
    $mds-color-green-34
    #00af41
    DNP
  • Red
    $mds-color-red-50
    #ff0000
    AA18
  • The accessibility ratings for these colors represent their color contrast as text against a white background.

Borders

Borders define and structure content.

Separators

  • On White
    $mds-border-separator-on-white
    solid 1px #e5e5e5
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-separator-on-light-gray
    solid 1px #cccccc
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-separator-on-dark-gray
    solid 1px #333333
  • On Black
    $mds-border-separator-on-black
    solid 1px #333333

Controls

  • On White
    $mds-border-control-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-control-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-control-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Black
    $mds-border-control-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #808080

Containers

  • On White
    $mds-border-container-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #e5e5e5
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-container-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #e5e5e5
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-container-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #e5e5e5
  • On Black
    $mds-border-container-on-all-backgrounds
    solid 1px #e5e5e5

Headers

Primary

  • On White
    $mds-border-header-primary-on-white
    solid 2px #333333
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-header-primary-on-light-gray
    solid 2px #1e1e1e
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-header-primary-on-dark-gray
    solid 2px #e5e5e5
  • On Black
    $mds-border-header-primary-on-black
    solid 2px #e5e5e5

Secondary

  • On White
    $mds-border-header-secondary-on-white
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-header-secondary-on-light-gray
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-header-secondary-on-dark-gray
    solid 1px #808080
  • On Black
    $mds-border-header-secondary-on-black
    solid 1px #808080

Tertiary

  • On White
    $mds-border-header-tertiary-on-white
    solid 1px #e5e5e5
  • On Light Gray
    $mds-border-header-tertiary-on-light-gray
    solid 1px #cccccc
  • On Dark Gray
    $mds-border-header-tertiary-on-dark-gray
    solid 1px #333333
  • On Black
    $mds-border-header-tertiary-on-black
    solid 1px #333333

Accessibility

Color contrast refers to the difference between foreground and background. The World Wide Web Consortium established specific color-contrast ratios for achieving compliance. The guidelines are split into three levels: A, AA, and AAA. The organizational benchmark for Morningstar products is Level AA.

The color decisions shared here reflect an adherence to a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. When possible, we recommend a ratio near 5.5:1, just to be safe. Never use any combinations that do not meet Level AA Guidelines.

Rating
Description
AAA
Passes Level AAA Guidelines at all sizes. Minimum contrast ratio ≥7.0:1.
AA
Passes Level AA Guidelines at all sizes. Minimum contrast ratio ≥4.5:1.
AA18
Passes Level AA Guidelines only at ≥18px text or ≥14px bold text. Minimum contrast ratio ≥3.0:1.
DNP
Does not pass Level AA Guidelines. Do not use.

The table above is reproduced from W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

Neutrals Color Contrast Matrix

Subtlety and refinement are integral to our visual language, however, ensuring that our content is legible takes precedent. The successes and failures below guided System color decisions.

Neutrals Accessibility

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