The Copic Color System
The legendary Copic Color System is a color wheel that displays the full spectrum of all 358 Copic colors and their properties.
Based on the chromatic circle, this tool allows you to intuitively select the colors you need. Each of the 358 Copic colors is identified by a specific letter and number combination. Understanding this system makes color selection quick, easy, and fun.
Understanding the Copic Color Numbering System
Copic color numbers consist of three elements: letters representing the hue (dominant color family) and a series of digits, where the first digit indicates color saturation and the remaining digits represent brightness.
Hue (Dominant Color Family)
The letters correspond to a specific color family. Each acronym represents a color group: R stands for "Red," B for "Blue," and BV for "Blue-Violet."
*Earth Tones (E series): This series consists of muted tones derived from the R ("Red") and YR ("Yellow Red") series. We named this series "Earth Tones" to make brown shade selection easier.
*Greyscale Groups: We consider each shade of grey as part of a hue and divide them into four groups based on their properties.
*Fluorescent Colors: These are marked with the letter "F" (for "Fluorescent") in the color number.
*The Blender (0) and Black are exceptions to this system.
Color Saturation
The number following the letters indicates the level of color saturation. It is divided into ten groups, ranging from 0 to 9. Colors with a leading 0 are the most transparent, while higher numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3) indicate reduced transparency.
Color Brightness
The remaining digits represent brightness levels, divided into twelve groups. 000 represents the lightest shades, while 9 indicates the darkest shades (colors darken as the number approaches 9).
Discover
Download your printable Copic Color Wheel PDF here and start building your collection today!
