Federal Standard 595 Colors

View Fed Std 595 color swatches below.

Federal Standard 595 Colors

• Our Products by Fed Std 595 Color Code
  • Gloss (MIL-PRF-24635)
  • Semigloss (MIL-DTL-24441, MIL-DTL-24607, MIL-PRF-24635)
  • Low gloss (MIL-PRF-24635, TT-P-645)
• Overview of Federal Standard 595
• MilSpecCoating and Fed Std 595
• Federal Standard 595B - Colors Used In Government Procurement

Our Products by Fed Std 595 Color Code

All 650 colors from Fed Std 595C are listed below. Though we are primarily a coatings (paint and primer) manufacturer, we also sell individual color chips and full sets.

Gloss

Semigloss

Low gloss (Flat or Lustreless)

A note on colors on a computer

Colors shown on this page and throughout this site are an approximation. Monitors vary tremendously. Please refer to government approved color chips to determine exact color appearance.

Overview of Federal Standard 595

Federal Standard 595 (aka, Fed Std 595) describes colors used by the United States government for procurement. Originally created during World War II to standardize colors for military products, the standard is widely used throughout the government and beyond. (As of January 16, 2008, the revised standard is now 595C, with some additional revisions in Change Notice 1 on July 31, 2008.)

There are 650 color codes in the standard. While the codes sometimes have written descriptions, the standard is the collection of physical color chips available in physical form.

Each code is 5 digits. The first digit is 1, 2, or 3, and describes the gloss level. The second digit is 0-8, describes the predominate color grouping (it's aritrary). The last three digits represent the "approximate order of increasing reflectance," where no reflectance is black.

Some colors may be in the standard at more than one gloss level (e.g., 17038 gloss black, 27038 semigloss black, and 37038 flat black), but it's not consistent or required.

MilSpecCoating and Fed Std 595

We manufacture and sell different mil-spec coatings. Each specification has different color requirements and tolerances.

MIL-DTL-24441 details which color chip number (all semigloss) to use in some -- but not all -- formulas in the specification. For example, Formula 150, Type III says: "Use FED-STD-595 color chip number 24272. Color shall approximately match the color chip."

MIL-DTL-24607 defines 11 Fed Std 595 color codes in the specification, all semigloss. For example, "Classification. Enamel covered by this specification is chlorinated alkyd resin enamel furnished in the following colors as specified...Beach Sand, FED-STD-595 color number 22563".

MIL-PRF-24635 includes 72 Fed Std 595 color codes in the specification, but also allows the purchaser to request any Fed Std 595 color code. (This spec is the most rigorous on color matching of any coating we manufacture.)

Federal Standard 595B - Colors Used In Government Procurement

As noted above, the current revision is C, dated January 16, 2008, with a Change Notice 1 published on July 31, 2008. However, for the coatings we manufacture, the update didn't change anything of note.

FED-STD-595B December 15, 1989
SUPERSEDING FED-STD-595A January 2, 1968

FEDERAL STANDARD No. 595B
COLORS USED IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

Authority. This standard is issued pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, and its application to the purchase of commodities referred to herein is mandatory on all Federal agencies.

S1. Scope. This standard presents the colors used by Government Activities in a format suitable for color selection, color matching and for quality control inspection. This document describes the designation and use of the color chips of this standard. For reference purposes, each color is reproduced herein as a 1/2 by 1 inch sample. The standard color chips are also available in the following formats:

1. Specification -- This specification supplied in loose leaf 8-1/2x11 paper with 1/2x1" color samples. Suitable for color identification and selection.
2. Fan Deck -- Suitable for color identification and selection.
3. Sets of color chips -- A set containing one 3 x 5 inch color chip each in its protective envelope -- suitable for color matching and quality control inspection purposes.

S2. Applicable Documents.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards:

D 523 -- Specular Gloss.
D 1729 -- Visual Evaluation of Color Differences of Opaque Materials.
D 2244 -- Calculation of Color Differences from instrumentally measured color coordinates.
E 308 -- Spectrophotometry and Description of Color in CIE 1931 System.

(Copies may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.)

S3. Color Identification and Reference.

S3.1 Color Identification. Each color is identified by a five-digit code. Colors in this standard are not to be referenced without giving the five-digit code, otherwise the reference is ambiguous.

S3.2 Numbering System.

S3.2.1 First Digit. The first digit of the color number indicates the color at a level or degree of gloss. The colors are divided only into three generalized finishes; gloss, semi-gloss and flat. For ease in judging the color matching (see also 3.3) the color number closest in gloss to that required should be specified. Specific levels of gloss, other than these standard levels must be separately specified in the procurement documents.

S3.2.2 Second Digit. The second digit of the color number indicates an arbitrarily selected color classification grouping.

S3.2.3 Last Three Digits. The last three digits of the color number are assigned in the approximate order of increasing reflectance.

S3.3 Color Matching.

S3.3.1 General. This standard covers color chips for color matching and control of items produced for Government use. Unless otherwise specified or designated by the contracting officer, color chips shall be the latest in effect by date of contract. Color matching by chromaticity coordinates or tristimulus values is not authorized for colors referenced in this standard.

S3.3.2 Metamerism. Colors that visually match in lights of certain spectral compositions but not in others are said to be metameric. The light source, condition of viewing and specular reflectance is critical to overcome metamerism and to determine correct matches. Therefore, light sources as specified in ASTM D 1729 shall be used for visual color matching.

S3.3.3 Color Matching Criteria. In specifying color, the procurement documents should state:

a. The FED-STD-595 color number;
b. The source (or sources) of illumination under which the color is to be matched; and
c. The method by which the color is to be matched; either:
(1) ASTM D 1729 -- Visual Evaluation of Color Differences of Opaque Materials -- state whether critical or general match; or,
(2) ASTM D 2244 -- Calculation of Color Differences from instrumentally measured color coordinates. -- State for CIEL1B color space the maximum color difference and the maximum hue difference tolerated. Name and address of organization supplying paint chip.

S3.4 Color Chip Authorized for Use.

S3.4.1 After the publication of this standard, only color chips marked FED-STD--595B shall be used.

S3.4.2 Color chips which are soiled, stained, faded, or otherwise damaged due to improper handling, storage or exposure to light or chemicals shall not be used.

S3.5 Care of color chips. All color chips will change with time and some will change more than others. Color change can be minimized by observing the following procedures.

a. Store the color chips in a cool, dark place;
b. Avoid exposure of the color chips to direct or scattered UV light or chemicals;
c. Minimize exposure of the color chips to light from any source;
d. Keep the color chips covered when not in use;
e. Do not touch the face of the color chips.

S4. Color Cross Reference. The following colors meet the special requirements for safety, highway and camouflage colors.

International Orange -- 12197

Note: The chips for camouflage colors shall be used for general color matching purposes only. The specifications for camouflage coatings contain requirements for infrared reflectance which must be met in addition to color. The color cards (chips) for the camouflage colors will contain pigments chosen for their stability and compatibility with the color card coating and, therefore, have different infrared reflectance characteristics than those required for camouflage coatings. Merely matching the color chip for color will not be sufficient to assure product acceptance by the contracting activity. For further information, contact:

Commander, U.S. Army Belvoir RDE Center,
ATTN: STRBE-VO, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5606.

S5. Color Chip Reproduction. Color chips may not be reproduced without the authorization of General Services Administration. Reproduction of color chips from any source other than the master standard is not authorized. The General Services Administration must approve all color matches made when the color chips are reproduced.

S7. International standardization agreement. Several colors listed in this standard are the subject of international standardization agreement, MAS Army 440, 7 December 1987, NATO STANAG 2321, Edition 4. When there is a change, revision, or cancellation of this standard which will affect or violate the international agreement concerned, the preparing activity will take appropriate reconciliatory action through international standardization channels including departmental standardization offices, if required. The following colors are covered by the above agreement: silver/aluminum 17178, brown 30117 or 30140, red 31136, light red 31158, yellow 33538, light green 34558 or 34449, dark green 34108, light blue 35109, gray 36231, black 37038, violet 37100, and white 37875.