How to Read Hair Colour Charts – Hair Dye Numbers

Hair dye numbers can be puzzling if you don’t know how to interpret them. Understanding the coding system used by manufacturers is the key to avoiding disappointment after colouring. Reading the digits and letters on the packaging correctly will help you achieve your dream colour without nasty surprises. Whether you colour your hair at home or plan a visit to the hairdresser, knowing these codes is invaluable. Read our article to find out what hair dye numbers mean.

How to Read Hair Dye Numbers? The Basics of the Numbering System

Understanding how to read hair dye numbers is the first step towards the colour effect you want. The numbering system rests on two main elements: the first digit or number indicates the depth of the colour (from 1 to 10, where 1 is black and 10 is the lightest blonde), while the digits after the point or slash indicate the shade and reflects. It’s worth noting that different manufacturers may vary this system slightly, but the basic principles of hair dye numbers and what they mean remain unchanged.

• 1 – black.
• 2 – very dark brown.
• 3 – dark brown.
• 4 – brown.
• 5 – light brown.
• 6 – dark blonde.
• 7 – blonde,
• 8 – light blonde.
• 9 – very light blonde.
• 10 – very, very light blonde.

In professional salons, such as a hairdresser in Warsaw, specialists understand these codes perfectly and can select the ideal colour to match your expectations. Hair dye numbers are a kind of language of colouring, which allows you to specify precisely not only the base shade but also the additional tones that give the hairstyle depth and dimension. Remember that reading hair dye numbers is a skill worth developing. The better you understand the numbering system, the easier it will be to communicate your expectations to your hairdresser or to choose products for home colouring. Pay special attention to the first digit of the code – it determines whether the colour will be dark, medium or light.

Hair dye numbers – reflect numbers

Now you know what hair dye numbers mean. Reflect numbers are an important part of the marking on dye packaging. They determine the final shade of your hair. Thanks to them the hairdresser can precisely select the pigments, to achieve a result in line with your expectations and the character of the base. Most colouring systems use the following reflect code:

• 0 – natural,
• 1 – ash,
• 2 – iris,
• 3 – gold,
• 4 – copper,
• 5 – mahogany,
• 6 – red,
• 7 – matt,
• 8 – mocha.

It’s worth emphasising that hair dye numbers are not random – it is a precise system that allows you to achieve predictable results. Every series hairstyle transformations begins with choosing the right dye number, taking into account both the base and the reflects. In our hair salon in Warsaw, Dawid Krynicki carefully analyses these parameters to select a colour perfectly suited to your needs. What do hair dye numbers mean in terms of reflects? For example, number 6.34 denotes dark blonde (6) with predominant gold (3) and copper (4) reflects. Reflects may be primary and secondary; the first number after the point indicates the dominant reflect, while the subsequent ones are additional tones.

What Do Hair Dye Numbers Mean? Practical Examples and Application

A practical understanding of what hair dye numbers mean is best presented through specific examples. A dye marked 8.0 is a light blonde without additional reflects – a pure, natural colour. 4.65, on the other hand, is a medium brown with predominant red (6) and mahogany (5) reflects, which gives an intense, warm reddish-brown shade. Number 9.1 denotes a very light blonde with an ash reflect, ideal for those seeking cool tones.

Hair dye numbers also have a practical use when mixing colours. Professionals often combine different numbersto achieve a personalised shade. For example, by mixing dye 7.0 (medium blonde) with 7.3 (medium blonde with golden reflects) in the right proportion, you will obtain a natural, slightly warmed medium blonde. Such nuancing of colour allows you to create unique, multidimensional shades.

How to read hair dye numbers to avoid disappointment? Always take your natural colour as the starting point. If you have very dark hair (level 1–3) and dream of a light blonde (level 8–10), a single application of dye will not be enough – you will need a lightening process. In such cases the support of a professional is invaluable. We always advise on what result is achievable with your starting colour and hair condition.

Summary

Understanding how to read hair dye numbers is invaluable knowledge for anyone who cares about their image. The first number determines the depth of the colour, and the digits after the point indicate the reflects – from ash through gold to red. This system may seem complicated at first, but over time it becomes intuitive and allows you to make informed colour choices. Remember that whether you opt for home colouring or a professional makeover in the salon, knowing what hair dye numbers are and what they mean helps you communicate your expectations. We encourage you to experiment with colours, but always with full awareness of what the symbols on the packaging mean. If in doubt, it’s worth consulting a specialist at our hair salon.