Question 1

What does RAL stand for?

Accepted Answer

RAL stands for Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung, founded in Germany in 1925. The first colour collection appeared in 1927 under the name RAL 840, with 40 colours at the time. Today’s RAL Classic grew out of it. The system is managed by RAL gGmbH in Bonn.

Question 2

How many RAL colours are there?

Accepted Answer

2,531 paint colours: 216 in RAL Classic, 1,825 in RAL Design System plus and 490 in RAL Effect. There is also RAL Plastics with 300 plastic samples; those are renderings of existing colours, not additional ones.

Question 3

What is the difference between RAL Classic, RAL Design and RAL Effect?

Accepted Answer

RAL Classic grew historically out of the needs of industry and government and holds the safety and signal colours. RAL Design plus is built systematically on the CIELAB model: hue, lightness and chroma can be read straight from the code. RAL Effect is a design collection based on water-borne paint systems, with a matching metallic for each colour family. The three collections are separate; a colour from one does not reappear in another.

Question 4

Why do RAL numbers differ in length?

Accepted Answer

The number of digits tells you the collection. Four digits is RAL Classic. Four digits with a hyphen is RAL Effect, where -M denotes the metallic. Seven digits is RAL Design plus.

Question 5

How do I read a RAL Classic number?

Accepted Answer

The first digit gives the colour group: 1 yellow, 2 orange, 3 red, 4 violet, 5 blue, 6 green, 7 grey, 8 brown, 9 whites and blacks. The three digits that follow are sequence numbers with no further meaning. The colour name — dove blue for RAL 5014, for instance — is an aid; the number always governs.

Question 6

What is RAL Plastics?

Accepted Answer

The colour standard for plastics, produced as polypropylene panels. RAL P1 holds the 100 most used RAL Classic colours, RAL P2 the 200 most used RAL Design colours; 300 samples in total, in three thicknesses and three surface textures.

Question 7

How do I identify the RAL colour on an existing object?

Accepted Answer

Two routes. Visually: hold several candidate samples against the clean, degreased surface at the same time, in daylight or standardised light. Instrumentally: measure with a colour reader such as the ColorReader and look up the nearest RAL value. On weathered surfaces you measure the current state, not the original colour.

Question 8

Under what light should I assess colour?

Accepted Answer

Under standardised daylight (D65) or standardised artificial light, against a neutral grey surround and without coloured reflections. Judging by a window on an overcast day is an acceptable alternative; judging under any random ceiling lamp is not.

Question 9

Why does the colour differ from the fan deck?

Accepted Answer

The RAL code fixes the colour, not its appearance. Gloss level, surface texture, material and substrate all change how the same colour reads — a high-gloss RAL 7016 looks darker than a matt one. Surface area matters too: a colour on a façade looks different from the same colour on a small sample.

Question 10

Are RAL colours allowed to deviate, and by how much?

Accepted Answer

The claim that RAL colours "may deviate by up to 5%" is untrue; colour tolerance is not expressed as a percentage but as a colour difference from a standard, and the permitted deviation is agreed between client and supplier. If it matters to you, set the tolerance out in the contract and assess against a primary standard.

Question 11

Can I convert a RAL colour to NCS, Pantone or another standard?

Accepted Answer

You can find the closest colour, but not an exact translation: the systems are built independently and their colour points do not coincide. We measure how large the difference is with colour instruments and find the best match for you. Send us the source colour and the target system.

Question 12

Are the HEX and RGB values for RAL colours I find online correct?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: the many conversion tables on the internet contradict one another because they derive from scans or outdated conversions. Use the official RAL colour libraries — those are derived from the colour standards themselves. Even then: digital values are for design previews, never for determining or approving a colour.

Question 13

What are colour fan decks for?

Accepted Answer

A fan deck is a tool for selecting and communicating colour, not a colour standard. The binding references are the primary standards: RAL 840-HR and RAL 841-GL for RAL Classic, RAL E1 for RAL Effect, and the A4 colour samples for RAL Design.

Question 14

Do the standard registers contain every colour?

Accepted Answer

Not all of them. RAL 840-HR holds all 216 RAL Classic colours in semi-gloss. RAL 841-GL holds 199 in high gloss — seventeen colours are therefore not available as a high-gloss primary standard. RAL E1 holds all 490 RAL Effect colours.

Question 15

How long does a colour sample stay usable?

Accepted Answer

Colour samples age through light, heat, dirt, grease and handling. For orientation that hardly matters; if the sample is used to approve or reject work, replace it periodically and store it dark, cool and closed.

Question 16

What is the difference between K1, K5, K6 and K7?

Accepted Answer

K7 is the classic pocket fan deck with all 216 RAL Classic colours, for travel and the building site. K5 shows the same colours as full areas in semi-matt or high gloss, for assessment over a larger surface. K1 is a block booklet, handy in client meetings. K6 is a box holding every colour as a loose A6 sheet, for combining and moodboards.

Question 17

I only need one colour — do I have to buy a whole collection?

Accepted Answer

No. Individual colour samples from RAL Classic, RAL Design and RAL Effect are available in A4 and A6 format, as are individual primary standard cards. Find your colour in the colour overview on this site and order the format you need directly.

Question 18

Why buy from an official distributor?

Accepted Answer

Because then you know the product comes from RAL production and not from an outdated print run or a counterfeit series. RAL products are colour references: if the origin is unknown, so is the reference value. RAL-shop.nl is the official distributor for the Benelux.

Question 19

Can I have my corporate colour standardised?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RAL can develop a company-specific colour against the quality standards of the primary standards. There is also RAL Individual: original RAL fan decks printed with your own company details. Contact us for options and costs.

Question 20

RAL 9010, 9016 or 9001 — which white?

Accepted Answer

RAL 9016 is the brightest white, RAL 9010 slightly warmer and off-white, RAL 9001 clearly cream. In plastic window frames 9016 or 9001 is often the base colour; in paintwork 9010 is the common choice. Do not choose by name — lay the samples side by side against the substrate.

Question 21

RAL 7016 or 7021 — which anthracite?

Accepted Answer

RAL 7016 anthracite grey is a dark grey with a blue undertone and the usual choice for frames and façade elements. RAL 7021 black grey is distinctly darker. The two are often confused; always check against a sample, certainly when matching existing work.

Question 22

Why are RAL 9006 and 9007 harder to reproduce accurately?

Accepted Answer

Those are metallic colours. The effect of metal pigment depends on viewing angle, film thickness and application method. Assess them under varying angles and on a sample applied the same way as the finished product.

Question 23

How can I pay?

Accepted Answer

By iDEAL, Bancontact, card or bank transfer. Approved trade accounts can also order on invoice.

Question 24

What are the shipping costs?

Accepted Answer

Shipping within the Netherlands costs €7.95. Orders above €100 ship free within the Benelux; orders containing only books always ship free. Shipping is by GLS, always with track & trace.

Question 25

How quickly will my order arrive?

Accepted Answer

Products in stock leave within 3–5 working days. Delivery within the Netherlands then usually takes 1–2 working days; Belgium and Germany 2–4 working days. Delivery times may differ for larger or special orders.

Question 26

Can I return my order?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel or return your order up to 14 days after receipt. Let us know by email, quoting your order number. Return shipping is at your own expense; once we receive the goods in good condition we refund the amount to the payment method you used.

Question 27

Can I order with reverse-charged VAT?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Business customers in the EU (outside the Netherlands) with a valid VAT number order with VAT reverse charged. Enter your VAT number at checkout; it is validated automatically.

Question 28

Can I resell RAL products?

Accepted Answer

For resellers we offer a trade account with its own pricing and the option to order on invoice. You can register through the trade registration on this site; applications are reviewed within 2 working days.

Frequently asked questions

About RAL

Determining and assessing colour

Fan decks, standards and authenticity

Popular colours

Ordering, shipping and trade

Stay up to date