If you walk through the streets of downtown Detroit on a Sunday in the fall, you aren't just seeing blue. You're seeing a very specific, almost electric shade of blue that feels like it belongs more on a tropical postcard than in the gritty "Motor City." It’s a color that has survived winless seasons, heartbreak, and a massive cultural revival.
So, what are the detroit lions colors? On the surface, it’s simple: Honolulu Blue and Silver.
But as any die-hard fan will tell you, there's a whole lot of nuance in those threads. We're talking about a palette that involves specific hex codes, a "redefined" hue for the 2024-2026 era, and a controversial relationship with the color black that nearly tore the fan base apart.
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The Mystery of Honolulu Blue
Most teams have "Blue." The Lions have "Honolulu Blue."
It’s not just a fancy name. Back in 1934, when George A. Richards bought the Portsmouth Spartans and moved them to Detroit, he wanted a fresh start. He didn't want the old purple and gold. Legend (and the team’s own media guide) says Richards took a trip to Hawaii and was mesmerized by the color of the Pacific Ocean. He wanted that exact shade for his new team.
Honestly, it’s kind of a weird choice for a city known for steel and concrete, right? But it worked.
The color was developed specifically for Richards. When the team historian, Bill Keenist, talks about it, he points out that player Glenn Presnell and his wife actually helped pick the swatch from a table of options. They saw that blue and silver combo and basically said, "That’s the one."
It’s been the soul of the franchise ever since. Even when a coach like Bo McMillin tried to force scarlet and white on the team in the late 1940s—because he wanted them to look like his Indiana Hoosiers—the fans didn't have it. The blue always comes back.
What Are the Detroit Lions Colors? The Official 2026 Palette
If you’re a designer or just someone trying to paint your man cave the perfect shade, you can't just buy "blue" paint. You need the specifics. As of the recent 2024 uniform refresh (which is the look the team is carrying through the 2026 season), the colors are more vibrant than ever.
Honolulu Blue
This is the heartbeat of the team. In 2024, the Lions worked with Nike to "redefine" the blue, making it a bit richer and more "popping" compared to the slightly duller versions of the 2010s.
- Hex Code: #0076B6
- Pantone: PMS 7462 C
- RGB: (0, 118, 182)
Silver
They call it "True Silver" now. For a while, the team used a flat grey that looked a bit like wet pavement. Fans hated it. The current uniforms brought back the metallic sheen.
- Hex Code: #B0B7BC
- Pantone: PMS 8180 C
- RGB: (176, 183, 188)
Black & White
White is used for the "road" jerseys and as a crisp accent on the home numbers. Black, however, is the "attitude" color. It was scrubbed from the primary logo and jerseys for years but made a massive comeback in 2024.
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- Black Hex: #000000
- White Hex: #FFFFFF
The "Motor City Muscle" Alternate
You can't talk about Detroit Lions colors without mentioning the black jerseys.
For some fans, black represents a dark era of losing (the 2000s). For others, it’s the coolest look in the league. Head Coach Dan Campbell—who actually wore the black jerseys when he played for the Lions—was the one who pushed to bring them back.
The deal was simple: Team President Rod Wood told Campbell that if the Lions won the division, he’d bring back the black uniforms. Campbell delivered the NFC North title in 2023, and by 2024, "Motor City Muscle" was born.
This alternate look features a black jersey with Honolulu Blue numbers. But the real star is the helmet. It’s a matte metallic blue shell with a black "Leaping Lion" logo. It’s aggressive. It’s gritty. It’s exactly what Detroit football feels like right now.
A Legacy of Stripes and Steel
The 2024-2026 uniform design didn't just pick colors out of a hat. They looked at the Ford Mustang for inspiration. If you look at the stripes on the sleeves of the home jerseys, they are designed to mimic the vertical "triple-track" taillights and racing stripes of the iconic muscle car.
The team also leans heavily into the "Blue Collar" identity. Look inside the collar of any jersey and you’ll find hidden text:
- Home Jersey: "One Pride"
- Road Jersey: "313" (The Detroit area code)
- Black Alternate: "Motor City"
It’s a subtle touch, but it connects the colors to the city's geography and history.
The Evolution of the Lion
The logo itself has seen some shifts in its color usage over the years. In the 70s and 80s, the lion was a simple blue silhouette with a white outline. In 2003, they added a thick black outline that lasted until 2017.
Today, the logo on the silver helmet is Honolulu Blue with a silver and white outline. It’s "clean." No black trim on the primary logo anymore. That helps the blue stand out against the silver shell, which is exactly how George Richards envisioned it nearly a century ago.
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Why the Colors Actually Matter
Sports psychology is a real thing. When you see that Honolulu Blue, it triggers a specific reaction in Detroit. It’s not just a brand; it’s a family heirloom.
When the team struggled for decades, the colors felt like a burden. But now, with the team's resurgence in the mid-2020s, that blue feels like a symbol of defiance. It’s the "same old Lions" colors being worn by a "brand new" team.
Whether it's the classic silver-on-blue or the "stealth" black-and-blue look, the identity is locked in. If you're looking to gear up, make sure you're getting the "redefined" 2024 blue—it's noticeably brighter and deeper than the stuff from five years ago.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Check the Year: If you are buying merchandise, look for the 2024 "refresh" tags to ensure you have the updated Honolulu Blue hue.
- Use the Right Codes: For digital creators, use #0076B6 for the most accurate 2026 digital representation of the team's primary color.
- Alternate Pairings: Remember that the Lions now have three helmet shells: the classic silver (home/road), the matte blue (black alternate), and the logo-less silver (throwback).
- Spotting Knockoffs: Fake jerseys often get the "Honolulu Blue" wrong, usually making it too dark (Royal Blue) or too teal. The real deal should look like Hawaiian ocean water under a bright sun.