Mint
#98FF98
Color Values
Frequently Asked Questions About Mint
What two colors make mint?
Mint is made by mixing green with white and a small amount of blue. The result is a fresh, light green resembling mint leaves.
What's the difference between mint and seafoam?
Mint is cooler and more blue-green, while seafoam is warmer with more yellow. Both are light green colors.
How do you make dark mint?
Dark mint is made by mixing mint with more green, or by mixing green with small amounts of blue and less white.
The History of Mint
Mint takes its name from the herb Mentha, cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes since at least 1000 BCE — ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used mint extensively. As a color name, 'mint green' describing the pale, fresh green of mint leaves appeared in the early 20th century. Mint green became a design icon in two distinct eras: in the 1950s–60s American domestic design, mint green appeared in kitchen appliances, bathroom tiles, and automobiles as a symbol of modern optimism and hygienic freshness. Then in the early 2010s, mint green experienced a major design revival as part of the pastel-and-geometric aesthetic that dominated fashion, graphic design, and social media aesthetics. 'Mint condition' as a phrase for perfect, pristine quality reinforces the color's associations with freshness and new beginnings.
Cultural Significance
Mint green's cultural identity is shaped primarily by freshness, hygiene, and youthful optimism. In healthcare and dental culture, mint flavor and its associated pale green color are so ubiquitous in toothpaste, mouthwash, and breath-freshening products that mint green has become synonymous with clean teeth and oral health. In American 1950s consumer culture, mint green appliances (refrigerators, mixers, stovetops) represented modernity and hygiene — the 'Jadite' glass by Fire-King became a collector's item. In Korean beauty culture, mint green packaging is widely used for products emphasizing freshness and cooling skin care. In vintage Americana design, mint green vehicles, furniture, and accessories are cherished symbols of the optimistic postwar period. Mint green also carries strong associations with spring renewal and new growth.
Color Psychology
Mint is psychologically one of the most refreshing and calming colors — its pale, desaturated quality shares sage green's calming properties while adding a cool, clean brightness that feels hygienic and invigorating. Research confirms mint environments reduce feelings of heat and create a physiological sense of coolness. Mint is one of the colors most strongly associated with cleanliness, freshness, and health — its near-universal use in dental and food products has created a conditioned association between mint green and 'fresh taste.' In design psychology, mint is perceived as youthful, optimistic, and approachable without being sweet or cloying. Unlike saturated greens that can feel aggressive, mint's paleness makes it gentle and unthreatening, ideal for environments designed to feel welcoming and hygienic.
Design Tips for Mint
Mint (#6EE7B7 or #34D399) is a beautiful, versatile accent color that freshens any palette. Pair mint with coral for a classic, energetic contrast (complementary-adjacent colors). Mint with warm white and brass creates a fresh, modern-vintage aesthetic. For contemporary design, combine mint with peach, cream, and warm gray for a soft, welcoming palette. In web design, dark mint (#065F46 or #047857) provides accessible text contrast, while light mint (#D1FAE5) works as a gentle background tint for success states and positive indicators. In interior design, mint green cabinets or walls with white trim and natural wood have a timeless, fresh quality. For branding in food, dental, or wellness sectors, mint green is an immediately fresh and trustworthy choice. Avoid overusing mint with too many other pastels — it can become saccharine; anchor it with one dark neutral (black, charcoal, or dark navy).