Deciding on a Goldwell hair color without using a swatch feels like painting a wall based only on the color name; Ash Beige or Copper Gold might sound nice, but the real result can be completely different than expected. Goldwell has a wide range of color lines, but the most commonly used ones include Topchic, Colorance, and Elumen. Each of these brings something different to the table, and swatches help make sense of those differences.
Topchic and Colorance shades are shown together in one chart. It gives a quick view of how deep the color is, how shiny it looks, and how it shifts under light. Elumen, on the other hand, uses a separate chart. Its colors are rich, bright, and long-lasting, so they need their own guide to understand how they behave on real hair.
These swatches are made with actual strands, not printed images. This gives a clear picture of how a shade reflects light, sits on hair, and changes based on undertones. Even clients can benefit by looking at swatches before a color session. It clears up doubts about tones, levels, and finishes without guessing or going in blind.
What Are Goldwell Colour Swatches?
Goldwell colour swatches are small samples that show the actual hair color result. They help us understand what a shade will really look like once it’s applied, instead of just guessing from the name on the box. It’s like a preview of the final hair color, very useful when deciding between shades like Ash Beige or Copper Gold.
Goldwell offers a variety of professional color lines, but the most used ones are Topchic, Colorance, and Elumen. Each line is designed for different needs, like permanent color, demi-permanent shine, or bold fashion tones. These swatches give us a clearer idea of how each shade appears in real life.
Further in this article, we’ll include swatches for Goldwell’s Topchic, Colorance, and Elumen ranges so it’s easier to choose the right color.
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Let’s Understand Goldwell Hair Color Swatches
Here is a detailed guide on Goldwell Hair Color Swatches:
Note: If you’re looking for clear swatches and the full chart, a PDF version is available at the end of this article.
1. Topchic & Colorance Chart
This is a Goldwell hair color chart, showcasing the full range of permanent (Topchic) and demi-permanent (Colorance) hair colors. It’s like a visual language that colorists use to pick, match, and customize hair shades for clients.
The swatch chart is organized by color families and tonal directions. Each family contains multiple shades, with codes like 6N, 7G, 5BP that tell you the level (how dark/light the color is) and the tone (like ash, gold, copper, etc.).
First, What’s the Difference Between Topchic and Goldwell Colorance Demi Permanent hair color?
Topchic is Goldwell’s permanent color range. It gives long-lasting results, solid gray coverage, and is used for major color changes. It penetrates deeper into the hair and doesn’t fade easily.
Colorance, on the other hand, is demi-permanent. It’s good for tone-on-tone coloring, refreshing faded shades, or enriching natural color. It’s much gentler, adds shine, and gradually fades over time.
Both use the same level and tone system, so once you understand how one works, the other is easy to follow.
The Layout of the Swatch Chart
Depth Levels (Hair Color Level System)
The depth level (also called the base level or lightness level) tells how light or dark the hair color is.
Goldwell uses an international level system, where Level 2 is the darkest and Level 10 is the lightest:
| Level | Color Depth | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Black | Deep, intense black |
| 3 | Darkest Brown | Almost black, soft reflection |
| 4 | Dark Brown | Strong, solid brown |
| 5 | Medium Brown | Balanced, rich brown |
| 6 | Light Brown | Warmer, starts to reflect more light |
| 7 | Dark Blonde | Appears brownish-blonde |
| 8 | Medium Blonde | True soft blonde |
| 9 | Light Blonde | Bright, sunny blonde |
| 10 | Very Light Blonde | Pale, platinum shades |
This number is the first digit in every Goldwell shade, e.g.:
- 6N is a Level 6 Natural (Light Brown)
- 9GB is a Level 9 Gold Beige (Light Blonde)
Higher levels (8–10) are more translucent, reflect more light, and are used for blondes. Lower levels (2–5) are richer, deeper, and suitable for natural or darker color results.
Tone Families
Every shade has letters following the level number. These represent tone or reflect, which gives personality to the hair color. Here’s what the main tone letters mean in Goldwell:
| Letter | Tone | Color Tone Result |
|---|---|---|
| N | Natural | Neutral, balanced tone |
| NA | Natural Ash | Cool neutral with ash base |
| NN | Extra Natural | Stronger pigment for gray |
| A | Ash | Cool, blue or green undertone |
| B | Beige | Soft, creamy blonde/beige |
| GB | Gold Beige | Warm with a soft creaminess |
| G | Gold | Sunny, rich golden tone |
| K | Copper | Orange, spicy warmth |
| KR/OR | Copper-Red | Fiery, intense red-orange |
| RB | Red Brown | Deep mahogany/burgundy |
| R | Red | Flashy or bold reds |
| V/VA/VV | Violet/Violet Ash | Cool red-violet tones |
| P/BS | Pearl/Silver | Cool icy reflect |
| MB | Matt Brown | Earthy, muted brown-green |
| BP | Beige Pearl | Soft blend of beige and cool tones |
| BB | Beige Beige | Ultra creamy, soft tones |
These tones are sometimes combined or layered in Goldwell’s naming to show more complex shades. For example:
- 5BG = Level 5 Brown Gold
- 7KR = Level 7 Copper Red
- 6BP@VA = Level 6 Beige Pearl with Elumenated Violet Ash reflect
Special Sections of the Chart
1. HiBlondes (Special Lift Shades) – 11 & 12 Series
- They are made to lift natural hair several levels lighter.
- 11 Series: This includes 11G, 11A, 11V, used on lighter bases (not for heavy gray).
- 12 Series: 12BN, 12BS, slightly more lift, used with 2:1 mixing ratio with high-volume developer.
2. Mix Shades (e.g., GG MIX, VV MIX)
- These are highly pigmented boosters that modify or intensify shades.
- They are not used alone; they must be mixed into base formulas.
Example:
- Add A mix to cancel warmth.
- Add KK mix for a deep copper kick.
Other Special Shades
Pastels (Colorance)
- Delicate, creative pastel tones like Pastel Peach, Rose, Indigo, etc.
- For pre-lightened hair and soft, fashion-forward tones.
Colorance MaxReds
- Highly pigmented reds for bold, rich results.
- Include tones like 5RRMAX, 6RRMAX, and 7RRMAX for deeper red coverage and pop.
Symbols and Notations
Goldwell uses some unique symbols and codes. Here’s what they mean:
1. Elumenated Shades (e.g., 6N@KK, 5BP@Pk)
- These have enhanced reflectivity and multi-dimensional shine because of their integrated Elumen technology.
- It is made to be bolder and longer-lasting.
- Often appear more reflective, especially under salon lighting.
2. 🟢 Topchic vs. 🔵 Colorance
- A swatch may show a green symbol, meaning it’s available in Topchic (permanent).
- A swatch may show a blue symbol, meaning it’s in Colorance (demi-permanent).
- Many shades are offered in both, allowing perfect matching for root touch-up and toner refresh.
Gray/White Coverage Explained
For clients with gray or white hair, Goldwell gives exact mixing guidelines depending on how much gray there is.
Shade Suggestions:
- Use N, NA, NN for gray coverage.
- NN is very effective for resistant gray hair and provides solid results.
Mixing Ratio Example (Topchic):
| % Gray Hair | Topchic Lotion | N/NA/NN Shade | Fashion Shade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–30% | 40 mL | 15 mL | 25 mL |
| 30–60% | 40 mL | 20 mL | 20 mL |
| 60–100% | 40 mL | 25 mL | 15 mL |
For highlift blondes (11 or 12 series):
- Not recommended for hair with over 70% gray; use series 2–10 for proper color deposit.
Developer Guide
Goldwell Topchic uses different developer strengths to control lift and deposit:
| Lotion | Volume | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | 10 vol | Darker deposit, no lift |
| 6% | 20 vol | Tone-on-tone, 1 level lift |
| 9% | 30 vol | 2 levels of lift |
| 12% | 40 vol | 3–4 levels of lift |
Blonding Cream Add-on
- An optional additive to increase lift by half to one level.
- Can be added to any Topchic color (up to 50% of the formula).
Processing Time Summary
| Color Type | Time (Closed System) | Time (Open Air System) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Topchic | 45 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Neutralights/11 Series | 30 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Colorance | 30 minutes | 15–20 minutes |
For zone application:
- Zone 2 = Mid-lengths and ends
- Zone 1 = Roots
The attached images and videos give a real-life look at how this swatch book appears in a salon, helping visualize the texture and tone in real light.
Visuals, videos showing the actual Goldwell Topchic color chart and Goldwell Colorance color chart swatches being flipped through.
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2. Goldwell Elumen Hair Color Swatches
This Goldwell Elumen colour chart swatch chart is like a menu of hair colors. Each little hair sample shows you how the color will look on different levels of lightness or darkness. The lighter your hair, the brighter and more colorful the results will be. Elumen colors are known for being super rich, long-lasting, and gentle on the hair since they don’t have ammonia or harsh chemicals.
Let’s go section by section:
1. Light Colors
- KB@7 – A warm coppery blonde.
- BG@7 – This one is beige with a touch of gold. Not too warm, not too cool.
- GB@9 – A soft golden blonde. Best if your hair is already light.
- NB@10 – Lightest natural blonde. A very soft, creamy shade.
- NA@8 – A cool blonde. Good for canceling out yellow/orange tones.
- AB@9 – A mix of ash and beige. Neutral and elegant.
- SB@10 – Light, soft blonde. Think pearly or platinum.
- SV@10 – Pale violet blonde. Adds a soft hint of violet for a classy twist.
2. Bright Colors
These shades are rich, warm, and full of depth. They’re perfect if you want medium brown, red, or copper tones.
- AB@6 – Cool brown with an ash tone.
- BM@6 – A mocha brown that’s not too warm.
- NG@6 – A golden brown. Warm but not too bright.
- BG@6 – A golden brown, slightly lighter and more golden than NG@6.
- BK@6 – A deep copper. Suitable if you love rich, red tones.
- BR@6 – A deep reddish brown. Bold and noticeable but still wearable.
3. Deep Colors
These are dark shades, browns, and near-black tones. Fit for those who like darker hair with shine
- NA@2 – Super dark ash brown, almost black. Helps cover red undertones.
- NB@4 – Dark natural brown. Not too warm or cool.
- NB@5 – A little lighter than NB@4, but still a deep natural brown.
- AN@5 – Deep cool brown. Looks glossy and rich.
4. Pure Colors – Warm Shades (Yellows, Oranges, Reds, Pinks)
This section is all about fun, fashion colors. These shades work best on very light hair (like platinum or bleached blonde).
- YY@all – Bright yellow.
- GK@all – Orange gold. Looks like fire!
- KK@all – True copper. Great for bold redheads.
- RR@all – Bright red. Think cherry or ruby.
- Pk@all – Hot pink. Super fun and loud.
- RV@all – A mix of red and violet. More like a wine or berry tone.
5. Pure Colors – Cool Shades (Purple, Blue, Teal, Green)
These are cool-toned fashion colors. Same as above, they show best on light blonde or bleached hair.
- VV@all – Violet. A deep, royal purple.
- Bl@all – Blue, just like the ocean or denim.
- Tq@all – Teal. A mix of blue and green.
- Gn@all – Forest green. Deep and dramatic.
What’s That Shade Scale on the Side?
On the left side of every chart, you’ll see hair colors numbered from 10 (lightest blonde) to 2 or 3 (black). That’s just showing the natural hair levels. If your hair is lighter, the color will look brighter. If it’s dark, the color will be deeper or softer.
If you want to see these colors in person (which is super helpful before choosing), you can buy the official Goldwell Elumen swatch book here:
Goldwell Color Wheel
This is the Goldwell Color Wheel, a clear and organized way to understand how Goldwell hair color shades relate to each other. It helps match, balance, and choose the right color shades based on what the hair currently looks like and the desired result. Let’s understand it:
The Circle Itself – What It Shows
The Goldwell Color Wheel is divided into sections by color tone (like red, ash, gold, etc.) and also by how light or dark each color is. It helps choose shades for coloring hair, correcting unwanted tones (like brassiness), or mixing two shades together.
Center of the Wheel: Natural Shades (N Series)
Right in the middle, you’ll see colors like 5N, 6N, 7N, 8N, etc.
- “N” stands for Neutral – these shades are not too warm or too cool.
- These are the most natural-looking browns and blondes.
- These are often used as base shades or for gray coverage.
- The number in front (like 6N) shows how light or dark the color is:
- Lower numbers = darker (like 2N = black)
- Higher numbers = lighter (like 10N = very light blonde)
Color Sections – What Each Area Means
As we move out from the center, the wheel is split into color families (these are the tones).
1. Gold & Copper (Top Right – Warm Tones)
- Shades here include: G (Gold), GG (Rich Gold), KG (Copper-Gold), K (Copper)
- These give warm results, like golden blondes, caramel browns, or bold coppers.
- Suitable for warm skin tones or adding brightness to dull hair.
2. Red & Red-Violet (Bottom Right)
- Shades: R (Red), RR (Intense Red), RV (Red-Violet), KR (Copper-Red)
- These create bold, rich, and dramatic looks.
- Best for people who love cherry, auburn, or deep burgundy hair.
3. Violet & Violet Ash (Bottom Center)
- Shades: V, VV, VA (Violet Ash)
- These are used to cancel out yellow or overly brassy blonde tones.
- Commonly used when toning very light hair to make it cool or icy.
4. Ash & Blue Ash (Bottom Left – Cool Tones)
- Shades: A (Ash), AA (Intense Ash), AB (Ash Beige)
- These cancel out orange or red tones.
- They help create cool-toned blondes or ashy browns.
5. Matte & Olive (Top Left – Green-Based Tones)
- Shades: M (Matte), GB (Green Beige), MB (Matte Beige)
- These are used to cancel out red tones in dark hair.
- Fit for people with very warm undertones or color correction.
What the Numbers Mean
Each Goldwell shade has a number and a letter (like 6A or 10G):
1. The first number tells the level (how light or dark the hair color is):
- Level 2 = Very dark (almost black)
- Level 10 or 11 = Very light blonde
2. The letter tells the tone (how warm or cool the color looks):
- N = Neutral
- A = Ash (cool)
- G = Gold (warm)
- K = Copper
- R = Red
- V = Violet
- M = Matte (green-based)
Examples:
- 6G = Medium golden brown
- 10A = Very light ash blonde
- 5RR = Deep intense red
- 7K = Copper blonde
How Opposites Work on the Wheel
Each tone has an opposite on the wheel. These opposites help cancel out unwanted tones.
- Blue cancels orange
- Green cancels red
- Violet cancels yellow
This is super helpful for color correction or toning. For example:
- Hair turned orange after lightning? Use a blue-based color to cool it down.
- Blonde looks too yellow? Use a violet-based toner.
- Red tones showing through in brown hair? Go with a green-based shade.
Goldwell Color-Caring Tips
After coloring hair with Goldwell, keeping that color fresh and hair healthy matters just as much as picking the right shade. Color-treated hair needs more care, and Goldwell has special products made just for this.
1. Use a color-safe shampoo like Goldwell color shampoo to gently clean the hair without fading the color.
2. Always follow up with a Goldwell color conditioner to keep the hair soft, smooth, and shiny.
3. Wash hair with cool or lukewarm water; hot water can strip away the color faster.
4. Don’t wash hair too often – 2 to 3 times a week is enough to keep the color looking fresh.
5. Use a heat protectant before styling with heat tools like straighteners or curlers.
6. Avoid harsh chemicals or strong treatments right after coloring to prevent damage.
7. Deep condition once a week to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
8. Protect hair from the sun by wearing a hat or using products with UV filters.
9. Avoid chlorine and saltwater or use a protective spray before swimming.
10. Get regular trims to avoid split ends and keep hair looking healthy and neat.
Small steps like these make a big difference in keeping hair color looking salon-fresh and hair feeling healthy longer.
Goldwell Color Chart PDF
Here are the Goldwell Color Chart PDFs.
1. Goldwell Topchic & Colorance Color Chart:
2. Goldwell Topchic & Colorance Swatch Chart:
3. Goldwell Elumen Color Chart: (Swatches)
NOTE: If any of the PDFs aren’t showing, try refreshing the page.
Conclusion
After working through the Goldwell colour swatches and learning how each line works, it’s clear why so many stylists trust this brand. The swatches actually make it easier to understand what’s going on with your hair, and that’s half the battle. Add in the care tips and color wheel breakdown, and things get even simpler. Once you’ve used the Goldwell swatch system once, you’ll probably stick with it.
Because life’s too short for mystery hair color and shampoo regrets.
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