Alexa Smart Light Colors

Alexa understands alot of different color names, but it’s tough to find an exhaustive list with all Alexa Smart Light colors. On top of that, brands have there own color lists, like this Phillips Hue color list. Additionally, you even find strange names that aren’t color related but mood related, like “relax”.

To help with this confusion, below is a complete list of light color names that Alexa understands. This list includes Phillips Hue colors, LifX colors, and other branded light colors. Colors are an approximation. What you see with your Smart Light might be a bit different.

Quick note: If you use a different assistant, I also create lists for the other major assistants below:

• Siri Light Colors
• Google Assistant Light Colors

Update: I pulled out the shades of white to make those easier to find. Want to know how to get the most out of Alexa? Check out my new weekly series, Keeping Up With Alexa.

Table of Contents

• Supported Alexa Smart Light Colors
• Unsupported Alexa Light Colors
• FAQ

Supported Alexa Smart Light Colors

These Alexa colors are listed by manufacturers and they work for me. If you’re having trouble with any of them, let me know in the comments below.

“Alexa, set the light to …”, “Alexa, make the lights …”,

Blue Color Names

Dark Green Color Names

Green Color Names

Orange Color Names

Pinks Color Names

Purple Color Names

Reds Color Names

White Color Names

Yellows Color Names

Unsupported Alexa Light Colors

These Alexa colors are listed as supported by manufacturers, but they don’t seem to actually work. If they’re working for you instead, leave a comment below.

FAQ

Can different manufacturers support different colors on Alexa?

Not really. All manufacturers should support the same color names.

The ins and outs of how Alexa and manufactures pass color information is some useful information to know. Alexa is responsible for knowing the various color names above, but Smart Light manufacturers are not. Instead, Alexa supplies these manufacturers with something called the HSB Color System. Manufacturers then use these values to change the light color.

Manufacturers don’t need to know the color name that you tell Alexa. Instead, Alexa controls the color naming, not manufacturers themselves, although they do control what the actual color is on the light.

If you’re really curious how Alexa communicates colors with manufacturers, check out the developer documentation.

What HSB color values are being sent to manufacturers?

Tough to say as Amazon doesn’t post this info directly. However, color values should be pretty close to this color list.

Where did you find these color names?

I checked around for Phillips Hue colors and LIFX color documentation. These were the best two sources, but they aren’t the only sources. If you know more, please let me know in the comments below.

• LifX Color List
• Phillips Hue Color List

Why are some colors not supported?

These are colors that manufacturers claim are supported, but don’t seem to actually work (as of Feb 2020). For example, Alexa doesn’t understand the color “sky”.

Do these colors work for every Voice Assistant, like Siri and Google Assistant?

Each Voice Assistant understands many, but not all of the same colors. You can find other Voice Assistant Color Lists by looking at these Smart Light color articles.

Can you dim or brighten smart lights?

Absolutely. All of these colors also support also dim and brighten commands, assuming you’re smart light bulb support it.

Try, “Alexa, make it brighter” or “Alexa, set the light to 50 percent”

Is there any way to add these colours to the Alexa app’s colour menu?

Sadly no. Amazon doesn’t allow this currently.

Can the colors rotate automatically without specifically asked for each change?

Yes, but it takes a bit more setup to do. Stay tuned for another article for this feature.