Looking for color by Hex, RGB, CMYK, or Lab?

Pantone™ PMS 501 U

Color Image

Actual color may vary from on-screen representation. Please view a physical color swatch or material sample to confirm your color choice prior to purchase.

Fast Shipping

70% of Orders Ship within 3 Business Days.

Ready to purchase? Select your options in the 4 steps below.

Step 1: Select Paint Type / Application

PMS 501 U is a Pantone PMS color used as a specification reference for consistent color matching across vendors and materials. It conveys a subdued, refined red character with a restrained presence, practical warmth, and a professional, low-key visual tone.

The color has a mid-range lightness, with an LRV of 48.29. It leans warm with a red-dominant hue, shows moderate saturation, and carries a soft, slightly earthy undertone that reduces sharpness.

PMS 501 U works well in brand environments where red is required but strong contrast or visual aggression should be avoided. It can appear deeper under warm lighting and flatter under cool light, so evaluation in the intended environment is recommended.

Similar colors:
PMS 500 U: slightly lighter and softer, with a more muted red appearance.
PMS 502 U: darker and heavier, with increased visual weight and depth.
PMS 7604 U: warmer and more brown-leaning, with reduced red clarity.

Product Data

About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 501 U 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 501 U color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 501 U color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 501 U color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 501 U Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 501 U 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 501 U

What should I expect for coverage and hide when painting PMS 501 U?

PMS 501 U is a saturated Pantone color, and colors in this range can have lower hide than neutral or muted tones. When matched into paint, PMS 501 U may require additional coats to achieve even color and uniform appearance, especially over light or dark substrates.

For brand-facing applications, plan on applying multiple thin coats and evaluating coverage under the actual lighting conditions where the color will be seen. If uniformity is critical, ordering a sample first helps confirm hide and appearance before full production.

How do I choose the right paint type for a PMS 501 U match?

PMS 501 U is a Pantone color reference, not a paint formula, so the best paint type depends on how and where the color will be used. Substrate, exposure, desired finish, and application method all affect which product is appropriate.

If you are unsure which paint type to order, contact MyPerfectColor with details about the surface, environment, and visual goals. This allows the match to be produced in a format that supports accurate color appearance and reliable performance for your project.

What is the typical production lead time for PMS 501 U paint?

Paint matched to PMS 501 U is made to order. Production lead time varies based on the paint type, quantity, and current production volume.

Most Pantone matched paint orders require several business days before shipping. If your project has a fixed deadline, it is best to confirm timing in advance so expectations are aligned with production schedules.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 501 U?
All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match Pantone PMS 501 U 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 501 U 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 501 U?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 501 U 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 501 U spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 501 U. 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 501 U?
The Pantone PMS 501 U 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 501 U?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 501 U 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 501 U to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 501 U 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.