The Story Behind Burnt Orange: A Guide to the University of Texas Brand Colors
The official colors of the University of Texas at Austin are Burnt Orange and White, creating one of the most recognizable collegiate brand identities in the world.
Formally designated as Pantone 159 (HEX #BF5700), the signature "Texas Orange" shade serves as a major differentiator for the university's academic and athletic programs. Far from a simple marketing decision, the evolution of the iconic Texas Longhorns color palette spans over 140 years of student votes, dye issues, and gridiron strategy.
The Official UT Austin Color Codes
For content creators, graphic designers, and licensed merchandise manufacturers, precision is essential. The university enforces strict brand guidelines through the UT Austin Brand Center to maintain color consistency across print and digital media
| Swatch | Color Name | Pantone (PMS) | HEX Code | RGB Values | CMYK Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnt Orange | PMS 159 | #BF5700 | 191, 87, 0 | 0, 65, 100, 9 | |
| White | White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Charcoal (Secondary) | PMS 432 | #333F48 | 51, 63, 72 | 65, 43, 26, 78 |
The History and Origin of Texas Burnt Orange
The journey to finding a permanent school color was filled with trial and error, including stints with gold, maroon, and even royal blue.
The 1885 Ribbon Emergency
The color orange first appeared in April 1885. A group of UT students, including a young woman named Gussie Brown, were preparing to board a train to Georgetown for the university's first-ever baseball game against Southwestern University. Wanting a way to show school spirit, they ran to a local general store to buy hair ribbons for the crowd. The merchant's most plentiful stock consisted of simple orange and white ribbons.
The Identity Crisis (1893–1899)
Though popular, the early orange and white combo was not immediately official.
Old Gold & White
The UT football program lists "Old Gold and White" as official, prompting players to take the field wearing bright yellow caps.
The Maroon Shift
To cut down on uniform cleaning costs, the UT Athletic Association swaps white for maroon. Athletes wear orange and maroon for three years.
Permanent Selection
Fed up with constant color shifts, the student body votes overwhelmingly to make the classic Orange and White permanent.
Why "Burnt" Orange? Overcoming the Fading Dilemma
The original official color was actually a bright, vivid orange. However, early textile manufacturing presented a frustrating problem: after multiple heavy wash cycles and exposure to the intense Texas sun, the bright orange uniforms regularly faded into a pale yellow. Opposing teams quickly took notice, mocking the Longhorns by calling them "yellow bellies".
To stop the fading and differentiate the university from schools like the University of Tennessee, UT football coach Clyde Littlefield ordered a custom, darker dye mix in 1928. This richer, earthy hue became known as "Texas Orange" or "Burnt Orange".
While the dark dye was temporarily abandoned during the Great Depression due to high manufacturing costs, legendary football coach Darrell K. Royal permanently brought back burnt orange in the early 1960s. Royal preferred the darker shade because it closely matched the color of a leather football, giving quarterback handoffs a subtle deception advantage on the field.
The Broader UT System Unified Palette
Today, the signature burnt orange shade is fiercely protected by national trademarks managed via the UT Austin Trademark Licensing Department.
While UT Austin retains exclusive ownership of the true burnt orange shade, the UT System Board of Regents encourages sister institutions throughout the state to integrate their own unique variations of orange:
UT Dallas: Pairs an energetic bright orange with forest green.
UT Permian Basin: Combines classic orange with deep black accents.
UT Rio Grande Valley: Accents a vivid orange base with a modern, sleek gray.
Whether lighting up the iconic UT Tower after a national championship or unifying millions of fans singing "The Eyes of Texas," the specific shade of Pantone 159 remains an enduring global symbol of academic excellence and athletic pride.