Hair Extension Color Numbers Explained (1, 1B, 613, P and M Codes)
Lower numbers are darker and higher numbers are lighter: #1 is the deepest black, #2 to #8 are browns, and #22 to #613 are blondes. Letters and slashes describe mixes. P (piano) and M (mix) mean two shades blended through the hair. Brands don't use these codes identically, so always compare photos and chips, not just numbers.
Hair extension shades are named with numbers like 1B, 6 or 613 and codes like P4-15 or M27-613. The system is shared across most of the industry, but it isn't a regulated standard, so the same number can look a little different from one brand to the next. Here's how to read the codes, and what each of our 22 shades actually looks like.
How the numbers work
The low numbers follow a rough dark-to-light scale:
- 1 is jet black, the darkest shade.
- 1B ("off black") is a softer natural black with a hint of brown.
- 2 to 8 are browns, from the darkest brown (2) to lighter chestnut shades (6, 8).
- 10 to 18 are light browns and dark blondes.
The higher numbers, such as 22, 24, 27, 60 and 613, are long-standing industry codes for specific blondes rather than steps on the same scale. That's why #60 can be lighter than #613 even though 60 is the smaller number.
What the letters and dashes mean
| Code | Usually means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ash: a cooler tone with less red or gold | #10A |
| P | Piano: two shades woven through the hair like highlights | #P4-15 |
| M | Mix: two shades blended together throughout | #M27-613 |
| T | Tipped or ombré: one shade at the root fading into another at the ends | #T1B-27 (we don't carry ombré) |
| G, N | Golden, neutral | Varies by brand |
In a mix code, the first number is usually the base and the second is the lighter shade woven in. Brands don't use the letters identically, so treat them as a description, not a guarantee.
All 22 of our shades, decoded
| Code | Our name | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Very Black | Jet black, our darkest shade | |
| #1B | Black | Soft natural black with a hint of brown; the most common "black" match | |
| #2 | Black Brown | Darkest brown; reads almost black indoors | |
| #3 | Dark Brown | Dark brown | |
| #4 | Chocolate Brown | Medium-dark chocolate brown | |
| #6 | Chestnut Brown | Warm medium chestnut brown | |
| #8 | Chestnut | Lighter warm chestnut | |
| #10A | Ashy Honey | Light brown; A means ash (cooler, less red) | |
| #15 | Golden Brown | Light golden brown | |
| #22 | Natural Blonde | Natural blonde | |
| #25 | Honey Blonde | Warm honey blonde | |
| #60 | Snow White Blonde | Our lightest: a pale, cool snow-white blonde | |
| #600 | Light Blonde | Light blonde | |
| #613 | Golden Blonde | Light golden blonde | |
| #415 | Golden Chestnut | Dark chestnut blended with golden-brown tones | |
| #P4-15 | Chocolate Highlights | Piano: #4 chocolate woven with #15 golden-brown highlights | |
| #P18-22 | Ash Chestnut Highlights | Piano: ash chestnut with natural blonde highlights | |
| #P600-14 | Latte Highlights | Piano: light blonde woven with a darker blonde, a latte look | |
| #P14A-600 | Cappuccino Highlights | Piano: ash dark blonde woven with light blonde, a cappuccino look | |
| #M27-613 | Honey Blonde Mix | Mix: honey blonde (#27) blended with light golden blonde (#613) | |
| #33 | Auburn | Auburn: rich dark red-brown | |
| #D-RED | Red Velvet | Red velvet: a deep, bold red |
Tap a chip to see the shade's own page, with a larger close-up.
1 vs 1B vs 2: which black is yours?
Most people with "black" hair are actually a 1B. True jet black (#1) has almost no brown in it and looks blue-black in sunlight; it suits hair that's very dark and very glossy. #1B has a soft brown undertone, which matches most natural black hair, especially at the ends. #2 is the darkest brown: indoors it looks black, but in sunlight you'll see brown. If your hair turns slightly brown or reddish in the sun, look at #1B and #2 first.
60 vs 600 vs 613: the blondes
In our lineup, #60 is the lightest and coolest, a pale snow-white blonde. #600 is a light blonde, and #613 is a light golden blonde with more warmth. If your blonde is icy or platinum, start with #60. If it's buttery or golden, start with #613. For honey and caramel blondes, look at #25 and the M27-613 mix.
Why the number alone isn't enough
Every brand dyes hair in its own batches, so a #6 from one company won't be an exact match for a #6 from another. Screens also change how color looks. The most reliable way to match:
- Look at your hair in daylight by a window, not under bathroom lights.
- Match your ends, not your roots. The extensions blend with your lengths.
- If you're between two shades, the lighter one usually blends better, and a stylist can always deposit a little color to darken extensions, but shouldn't lighten them.
Our shade matcher compares a photo of your hair with all 22 shades. It's a strong starting point, but lighting affects every photo, so if two results look close, send us a daylight photo and we'll check it by eye.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 1 and 1B?
#1 is the darkest, jet black. #1B is a softer natural black with a hint of brown, which is what most people with 'black' hair actually match.
Is 613 platinum blonde?
No. #613 is a light golden blonde, often used as a base that colorists tone. Our lightest shade is #60, a pale snow-white blonde.
What does the P mean in P4-15?
P stands for piano: two shades woven through the hair like highlights. P4-15 is chocolate brown with golden-brown highlights.
Is #6 at one brand the same as #6 at another?
Not exactly. The numbering system is shared, but each brand's dye lots differ. Match to the photo and chip, not the number.
What does the A in 10A mean?
A usually means ash, a cooler tone with less red or gold. Our #10A is an ashy honey brown.
