Cadet grey
A blue-tinged grey once common in military uniforms
Cadet grey is a grey shade with a hint of blue, known for its use in military dress. The colour was named after the uniforms worn by military cadets, especially in the United States and Austria, and first appeared as a colour name in English in the early 20th century.
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- Cadet grey is a blue-tinged shade of grey.
- It was named for its use in military uniforms.
- The colour term appeared in English in 1912.
- Austrian and American armies both used this colour for uniforms.
- Related shades include cadet blue and space cadet.
What colour is Cadet grey?
Cadet grey is a soft grey with a blue undertone, sitting between pure grey and blue-grey on the colour spectrum. Its muted appearance sets it apart from brighter or more saturated blues and from neutral greys without a blue cast. The colour is best recognised from its long association with military uniforms, where it was chosen for its understated and practical look.
Where does Cadet grey come from?
The name 'cadet grey' comes from its use in the uniforms of military cadets, especially in the United States and Austria. The term described the colour of clothing worn by students at military academies and by soldiers. The name was adopted into English as a colour term in the early 1900s, after decades of use to describe uniform cloth.
Where Cadet grey is used
Cadet grey was widely used in military uniforms, including those of the United States Army, the Confederate States Army, and the Austrian jäger regiments. It was selected for its subdued tone, which was practical for field use. The colour also appeared in uniforms for militias and military academies, and has influenced other shades used in textiles and livery.
Shades and relatives of Cadet grey
Related shades include 'cadet blue', a bluer variant first named in the 1890s, and 'space cadet', a darker blue-grey listed in Australia and New Zealand since 2007. The colour 'pike grey' or 'Hechtgrau' in Austria is closely related, especially in military contexts. Cadet grey is sometimes confused with these similar blue-grey tones.
Colours that go with Cadet grey
Harmonies are worked out from the value #91A3B0. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Cadet grey
What colour is cadet grey?
Cadet grey is a grey with a noticeable blue tint, making it softer and cooler than standard grey.
Where does the name 'cadet grey' come from?
The name comes from its use in military cadet uniforms, especially in the United States and Austria.
When did 'cadet grey' become a colour name in English?
It was first used as a colour name in English in 1912.
What is cadet grey used for?
It has been used mainly for military uniforms and is also seen in textiles and livery.
Are there similar colours to cadet grey?
Yes, related shades include cadet blue and space cadet, both of which have more blue in them.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cadet grey", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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