Purple is one of the most varied color families, spanning soft pastels to deep jewel tones. If you want a shade like purple that is lighter, deeper, cooler, or more pink, there is a perfect cousin for it.
This guide covers the best colors similar to purple, how each one differs, and a ready-to-use palette for every shade. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
The quick answer: colors like purple #
The six closest alternatives to purple are:
- Violet, a vivid, slightly blue purple
- Plum, a deep, warm red-purple
- Lavender, a soft, airy pastel purple
- Mauve, a muted, grayed purple-pink
- Eggplant, a dark purple with brown depth
- Amethyst, a jewel-like medium purple
1. Violet #
Violet is a vivid purple that leans slightly blue, closer to the spectral color. It feels bright and a touch cooler than a standard purple.
2. Plum #
Plum is a deep, warm red-purple with a rich, moody feel. See more in our guide to what goes with plum.
3. Lavender #
Lavender is a soft, cool, airy pastel purple. It feels calming and gentle, ideal for light, serene designs. See more in our guide to what goes with lavender.
4. Mauve #
Mauve is a muted, grayed purple-pink with a vintage softness. See more in our guide to what goes with mauve.
5. Eggplant #
Eggplant is the deepest purple-like shade, a dark purple with brown undertones. It is dramatic and grounding. See more in our guide to what goes with eggplant.
6. Amethyst #
Amethyst is a jewel-like medium purple, named after the gemstone. It feels rich and luxurious without being too dark.
How to choose the right shade #
Match the shade to the mood: lavender and mauve for soft, calming looks; violet and amethyst for vivid, jewel-like richness; and plum or eggplant for deep, dramatic luxury.
Related guides #
- What colors go with purple
- What colors go with plum
- What colors go with lavender
- What colors go with mauve
Build your own palette #
Use the PaletteDeck generator to build a palette around any of these purples, browse our most popular palettes, or explore more color guides.