Lavender vs Lilac
Can you tell them apart?
#E6E6FA
#C8A2C8
Perceptual difference (ΔE): 27.1 — clearly different.
Lavender and lilac are two pale purples that swap roles in everyday conversation constantly. Lavender, named after the flowering herb of the same name, is an extremely pale blue-purple with strong cool undertones and very high lightness — almost white with a purple tint. Lilac, named after the spring-flowering shrub with perfumed clusters, is a slightly more saturated and warmer purple-pink — it has more pink in it and is marginally darker and more visible. Both are gentle hues, but lavender reads cooler and more airy while lilac reads warmer and more distinctly pink-purple.
How to tell them apart
Lavender has a bluer, cooler character; lilac has a pinker, slightly warmer one. If it looks like a clear sky with a purple wash or a floating chiffon dress, it's lavender; if it looks like a spring blossom or a nursery wall, it's lilac.
Color values
| HEX | #E6E6FA |
|---|---|
| RGB | 230, 230, 250 |
| HSL | 240°, 67%, 94% |
| CMYK | 8, 8, 0, 2 |
| HEX | #C8A2C8 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 200, 162, 200 |
| HSL | 300°, 26%, 71% |
| CMYK | 0, 19, 0, 22 |
FAQ
- Is lavender the same as lilac?
- No. Lavender is cooler and paler (almost blue-white-purple); lilac is slightly more saturated and warmer with a pink lean.
- Is lavender more blue or more purple?
- More blue. Lavender's very high lightness and cool tone make it feel blue-leaning compared to the pinker warmth of lilac.