Pantone , an influential color standards company, has picked Cloud Dancer as its Color of the Year for 2026 . Cloud Dancer is a soft, light white. This is the first time Pantone has ever chosen a white color.

Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as a calm, balanced white that gives a feeling of peace. The color is meant to make people feel relaxed and clear-headed in a busy, fast-moving world.

Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said the choice shows how people are thinking about the future. She said Cloud Dancer “offers a promise of clarity” during times of change.

This choice also reflects a shift in Pantone’s selection strategy. In past years, Pantone picked bright or earthy colors. Now the company is choosing a simple, neutral color. Designers can u

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