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Pantone™ PMS 403 C

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PMS 403 C is part of the Pantone PMS (Pantone Matching System) collection, a standard in brand identity and design specification. The color presents a composed, neutral, and versatile vibe, with understated, professional, and technical attributes. It occupies a central position among neutral grays, making it suitable for contexts where visual balance and restraint are priorities.

PMS 403 C is a medium-light color, with an LRV of 28.12, offering moderate light reflectance without appearing stark or washed out. The color has a cool tendency, though it sits close to a true neutral, making it flexible across lighting conditions. Saturation is low, with muted chromaticity, leading to a subdued and unobtrusive appearance. The undertone is subtly taupe, displaying a blend of warm and cool influences that reduces the risk of unwanted color shifts. The color exhibits moderate finish sensitivity; gloss finishes may accentuate its cool base, while matte finishes will emphasize its muted, soft character.

PMS 403 C works well where a controlled, neutral gray is needed to support or balance other brand colors, especially in environments where tone-down sophistication or technical neutrality is required. Evaluate the color under representative lighting, as both warm and cool light sources can shift the perceived undertone. It is less likely to pick up pronounced reflections or strong color casts than lighter or higher-chroma grays, supporting consistent reproduction across materials and finishes. When compared to similar standard grays, PMS 403 C maintains a balanced neutrality without strong blue or brown leanings.

Similar colors:
PMS 402 C: Slightly lighter and warmer, introducing a more beige undertone for a softer effect.

PMS 404 C: Slightly darker and cooler, with a marginally stronger sense of depth and a crisper appearance.

PMS Cool Gray 5 C: More overtly cool and marginally lighter, producing a more technical and less taupe impression.

Product Data

About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 403 C color in spray paint and other paints.

MyPerfectColor helps marketing professionals turn graphic designs into physical reality. Whether you are a manufacturer, entrepreneur, industrial designer, prototyper/modeler, marketer, agency, printer, retailer, sign manufacturer, exhibit fabricator or architect, MyPerfectColor will help you nail the PMS 403 C color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 403 C color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 403 C color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 403 C Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 403 C color may vary from the PANTONE Color Standards based on lighting conditions, angle of view and/or due to differences in pigments, manufacturing process, substrate and/or limitations in the color capability of the paint. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. Portions © Pantone LLC, 2019. Produced under License Agreement between MyPerfectColor.com and Pantone LLC.

Pantone

Frequently Asked Questions About Pantone™ PMS 403 C

Why is it important that PMS 403 C paint is produced by a Pantone licensed supplier?

PMS 403 C is a Pantone standard, and using a licensed supplier ensures the paint is matched to Pantone's official color reference. MyPerfectColor is authorized to reproduce Pantone PMS 403 C in paint, following Pantone's specifications for color consistency and accuracy. This matters for maintaining visual brand consistency and meeting brand standards on displays, signage, and installations.

How do I order paint matched to Pantone PMS 403 C on MyPerfectColor?

To order paint matched to PMS 403 C, select the desired paint format such as spray paint, paint pen, or housepaint. Next, choose your preferred sheen, quantity, and any other options required for your application. Confirm that PMS 403 C is displayed as the target color before placing your order. If your project has unique substrate or approval requirements, consider requesting a sample first.

How should I compare PMS 403 C paint to a Pantone color book?

Pantone books are reference standards for color, usually printed on paper with a specific sheen. When viewing PMS 403 C paint, be aware that appearance can shift based on sheen, substrate, and lighting. It is best to evaluate a sample of PMS 403 C paint on your actual material under the intended lighting to understand how closely it matches your Pantone reference.

When should I sample PMS 403 C paint before full production?

Sampling PMS 403 C is recommended for high-visibility brand projects, large installations, or when paint will be applied to materials with varying textures or finishes. If your project requires approval from brand teams or must meet strict standards in specific lighting, testing a sample ensures the paint appearance aligns with expectations before ordering full quantities.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 403 C?
All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match Pantone PMS 403 C depends on the type of paint needed. Interior and exterior house paints usually ship within 1 to 3 business days, while custom spray paint typically takes 3-5 business days to ship. The transit time depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. If your need is immediate, select Expedited Production during checkout. Most expedited production orders ship within 24 hours on business days. Please contact MyPerfectColor if you are concerned about a specific deadline. We do our best to make sure you get your paint on time. Learn more about paint lead times at MyPerfectColor.
Can I use the Pantone PMS 403 C for touch up?

Unfortunately, no.

Some manufacturers specify Pantone colors as touch up for their products, but Pantone does not work well as a proxy for a touch-up solution (for a litany of reasons such as it doesn't include sheen and Pantone color tolerances are not tight enough for touch up). When we match Pantone colors we are matching to a swatch in a Pantone book - not to your product.

The only way we can provide a touch-up solution for your product is for you send us a part. We would use the part to create a touch-up grade match. Unfortunately, there isn't an effective way to 'spec' the color well enough to produce a touch up without the part.

Read more about using Pantone for touch-up.

Learn more about our paint color matching service.

How do I buy paint in the Pantone PMS 403 C?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 403 C with no minimum order quantities. MyPerfectColor offers spray paint, paint pens, touch up bottles, water-based acrylics, epoxies, urethanes and a variety of other paints. Select the Paint Type button above to get started. Learn more about buying paint at MyPerfectColor.
How much area will one spray can cover? And what is Pantone PMS 403 C spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 403 C. MyPerfectColor uses an acrylic enamel which is a fast-drying durable coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.

The 11oz spray will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge how much spray you'll need as it is highly dependent on how it is applied. It is better to have too much than run short.

How do I get the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for paint matched to Pantone PMS 403 C?
The Pantone PMS 403 C is the color and the SDS is based on the type of paint used to make the color. You can find Safety Data Sheets here for our most popular products.
Do I need a primer for Pantone PMS 403 C?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 403 C depends on the type of paint, the substrate being painted and where it will be located. See our Primer Selection Table to see what primer you might need and learn more about when you might need a primer. Most people don't use a primer for a touch up paint application, but a primer may improve adhesion and is typically recommended for exterior applications.
How do I convert PMS 403 C to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 403 C in paint, we don't provide any crossover information. We've found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely does a color have an exact equivalent in another company's color collection, especially for a color collection like Pantone which is designed for bright colors and inks.