Cyan vs. Teal — What's the Difference?

Cyan and teal are both shades that fall within the blue-green spectrum. Cyan is often associated with a bright, electric blue-green hue. Its name originates from the Greek word 'kyanos,' which means "dark blue substance," potentially referring to the color of certain blue pigments used in ancient art. On the other hand, teal gets its name from the teal duck, which sports a distinctive dark greenish-blue patch around its eyes.

Both cyan and teal have significance in the world of digital media and printing. In the CMYK color model, which is used for color printing, C stands for Cyan. This cyan is one of the primary colors used in printing, along with magenta, yellow, and black. Teal, meanwhile, doesn't have a standardized role in printing but is a popular color choice in design and fashion due to its soothing and sophisticated appearance.

Cyan and teal also differ in their psychological and cultural associations. Cyan is often linked to feelings of clarity, freshness, and vitality, perhaps because it's reminiscent of tropical waters. Teal, with its deeper shade, evokes feelings of tranquility, elegance, and sometimes mystery.

In terms of color theory, cyan is considered a secondary color resulting from the combination of blue and green. Teal sits somewhere between cyan and forest green, possessing depth and richness that cyan doesn't have.