You didn’t go into private practice to become a color theorist or learn a whole new language of techy codes. You just wanted your website to look good, match your brand, and not scream “I copied this off Canva at 2AM.”
But if you’ve ever peeked into your website settings or tried to change a button color and been confronted with a weird string like #A278B5, you’ve already met the hex code.
So what the hex is a hex code?
Let’s break it down in normal-person terms, with examples from the worlds of dietitians, therapists, and private practice folks who are so over pretending they understand tech they don’t.
A hex code (short for “hexadecimal code”) is basically a six-digit way of describing color on screens. That’s it. It’s like the barcode for a specific shade. You’ll see it written like #FBB6CE or #2D3748, and every single one of those digits means something to your computer—but you don’t have to know all the math behind it.
Here’s a visual:
#FFFFFF = white#000000 = black#AA4FBE = a very on-brand pastel purple we may or may not be obsessed with over hereIf your brain starts melting at the sight of numbers and letters mixed together, don’t worry. Hex codes are just how your computer translates color. You don’t need to speak fluent tech to use them. You just need to know which one gives you that perfect warm dusty rose you want for your call-to-action buttons.
You’re building a business that centers around trust, compassion, and creating a welcoming experience. Your colors? They play a huge role in that. Consistency in your visual brand builds credibility—and having your exact hex codes handy means you can keep that consistency everywhere (not just on your website).
When your Instagram post background, your email header, and your website accent color all match perfectly, it feels professional, thoughtful, and aligned. Not “I screenshotted a thing and guessed the color.”
A few ways you’ll use hex codes without even realizing it:
Basically: if you’re touching anything visual in your business, hex codes are your best friend.
Remember trying to describe a recipe to someone without measurements?
“You just throw in a handful of oats, maybe like… 3 pinches of cinnamon? And enough almond milk that it’s not dry but not too soupy.”
And then they make it and it’s totally off, because your “pinch” is their “tablespoon.”
Hex codes fix that problem—but for color. Instead of guessing what shade of blue someone means by “calming teal,” you just give them #4299E1 and boom they’ve got the exact one.
It’s the difference between “Make it pinkish” and “Use #F687B3.”
Yes! And also no.
If you worked with a designer (like, say, hi, me) to build your brand or website, you probably have a Brand Guide somewhere that includes all your colors in hex code form. That’s your cheat sheet.
But if you ever:
…you’ll want those hex codes handy.
Because otherwise, it becomes a game of color roulette, and your “brand pink” slowly morphs into something that looks like Pepto-Bismol after a few too many copy/pastes.
If we worked together at Declet Designs, you were given a brand board or style guide PDF that lists your brand colors with their hex codes. You might also see codes labeled like:
#6B46C1#F6AD55#EDF2F7If you don’t have that, here’s what to do:
#A0AEC0 in it.You can, but here’s why that’s risky.
Color names are subjective and can vary across platforms. What Canva calls “rose pink” might be totally different in your website builder. Hex codes are like GPS coordinates for color. They don’t change.
If your visual brand relies on a moody navy (#1A202C) and you accidentally use a slightly lighter navy (#2D3748) because the name looked right, it might not seem like a big deal.
But over time? These little mismatches chip away at your brand consistency.
You don’t have to become a hex code ninja. You just need a safe place to store them. Here’s how:
It’s like writing your grandma’s banana bread recipe on a notecard so you don’t have to keep asking her every Thanksgiving.
Hex codes aren’t scary. They’re actually kind of magical. They take the guesswork out of your visuals and help you show up consistently, professionally, and confidently in every corner of your business.
So the next time you see #DEC5E3, know that it’s not just a random mix of letters and numbers. It’s your brand showing up with intention.
And if you ever feel like tech things are just not your jam? That’s literally why I do what I do. Websites, branding, systems, and SEO for private practices who want to ditch the duct tape and finally feel proud of their online presence.
Now go find your hex codes.
Need a hand pulling your visuals together (without pulling your hair out)? Check out our Brand Strategy packages over here.
Courtney has 15+ years of experience putting together and designing marketing materials, WordPress websites, customer experiences, and workflows that help you save time and money. She developed these skills during her years as a Director of Corporate Health Services, Group Fitness Program Manager, Lead Wellness Dietitian, fitness and yoga instructor, and her own nutrition private practice, Vickery Wellness.
She also taught undergraduate courses at the University of Georgia where she graduated with the following degrees:
Declet Designs offers website design, strategy, and SEO for weight-inclusive private practices & small businesses. Located in Athens, GA, and serves businesses nationally and internationally.
Declet Designs is a welcoming and inclusive space for all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, neurodivergence, or national origin.
Declet Designs is located on the lands of the Muscogee and Tsalaguwetiyi people and wishes to acknowledge them as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We also pay our respects to their Elders, past, present & emerging.
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