WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. The app allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos, documents and other media with individuals or groups. WhatsApp’s interface is known for its simplicity and clean design. But one aspect many users may not have given much thought to is – what is the predominant color of the WhatsApp interface? In this article, we will take a look at the colors used in WhatsApp’s user interface and the reasoning behind the chosen palette.
The Main Green Color of WhatsApp’s Interface
The most identifiable color in WhatsApp’s interface is the bright green that is used prominently in elements like the calls tab, chat bubbles when you send a message, status dots and more. This distinct green shade is a custom color that was chosen specifically for WhatsApp.
The exact hex code of this green is #075E54. In RGB values, it translates to:
R: 7
G: 94
B: 84
Some key reasons why WhatsApp likely chose this particular green hue are:
Standing Out
This shade of green does not commonly appear in most other apps and websites. So it helps WhatsApp stand out with its own unique identity. The color is bright and eye-catching when used in call buttons, new chat notifications and other elements.
Positive Connotations
The color green is often associated with positive sentiments like growth, harmony, safety and wellbeing. Using green helps promote WhatsApp as a trusted, safe space to communicate with your loved ones.
Feeling of Nature
Green evokes natural images like trees, plants and forests. This gives WhatsApp’s interface a fresh, ‘back to basics’ feel which aligns with their minimalist design ethos.
Contrasts Well
Since most of WhatsApp’s interface utilizes a white or near-white background, the vibrant green provides excellent contrast and visual hierarchy. The darker shade used works well whether in light or dark mode.
So in summary, the specific green shade was likely chosen after testing different hues and evaluating how well it stood out, conveyed the right emotions, looked natural and contrasted against the overall interface.
Other Main Colors in WhatsApp’s UI
While green is the most recognizable color, WhatsApp uses a few other main colors in its interface design:
White (#FFFFFF)
The predominant background of chats, menus and most screens is white or off-white. This keeps the UI clean and simple.
Gray (#8C8C8C)
Various shades of gray are used for secondary icons, text and functionality that needs to be more subdued. For example, search bars, attachments, camera icons.
Blue (#25D366)
The green check mark when messages are delivered turns blue when read. This provides additional context via color coding.
Yellow (#EEC900)
Yellow is occasionally used when alerting users, like the color of the notification dots when new messages arrive.
Dark Mode Colors
In dark mode, the colors get inverted but essentially follow the same logic:
Dark gray (#212121) / Black (#000000)
The background color is very dark for better visibility at night.
White (#FFFFFF)
Now white text is used for easy legibility against the dark backdrop.
Green (#07BC4C)
A slightly lighter green is used so it remains visible but lower contrast against the dark background.
Blue (#31D7A9)
The blue also gets lightened up compared to normal mode.
So in summary, WhatsApp retains its signature colors but shifts the tones and contrast levels appropriately based on the interface mode.
Color Usage in WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business utilizes the same colors as regular WhatsApp for cohesive branding. However, there are a couple of additional colors used to differentiate certain business-specific elements:
Purple (#9B59B6)
Used in business profile elements like notifications, statistics and messages when communicating with customers.
Orange (#FF8800)
Used for CTA buttons that encourage users to upgrade to a paid WhatsApp Business plan for additional features.
So in WhatsApp Business, while the core colors remain the same, the additional purple and orange help segment business account features and upgrades.
Testing Different Color Schemes
WhatsApp likely went through extensive testing of different color combinations before settling on the current green palette. Some alternate color schemes they may have evaluated include:
Blue
Blue is widely used by many social media and communication apps, so WhatsApp may have tried different blue hues before opting for green to differentiate itself.
Red
Red is eye-catching but may have clashed with the minimalist aesthetic or felt too aggressive.
Orange
Orange provides good contrast and vibrancy but can feel unnatural and jarring at times.
Purple
Purple is playful but doesn’t stand out as much on white backgrounds compared to green.
Pink
Light pink could give WhatsApp a friendly personality but likely didn’t feel bold enough.
Conclusion
WhatsApp put careful thought into selecting the right color that would make their interface memorable, trustworthy, natural and easy to use. The custom green they created hits the right notes for a messaging app while contrasting well against white backgrounds. Complementary colors like gray, blue and yellow add functionality without taking away from the signature green brand identity. Minor tweaks were made to the color scheme for business accounts and dark mode. But overall, the colors used in WhatsApp’s interface strongly align with their minimalist, user-centric design philosophy. So next time you’re using WhatsApp, take a second to appreciate the specific shade of green they are using!