Jan 22, 2026

What Do Scrub Colors Mean in Different Medical Settings?

Doctors, nurses, and other health workers all rely on scrubs every single day. In any hospital, you may see six or more different scrub colors, including:

So, why all this variety?

While there is no law governing scrub colors, many hospitals and medical facilities assign set colors to specific roles or departments for easier identification.

Understanding these color choices shows how hospitals stay organized and why color serves a practical purpose beyond aesthetics. So, let's dive into what scrub colors mean in different medical settings.

Scrub Colors and Who Wears Them

Every institution has its own rules, but here's a broad breakdown of the different scrub colors and their applications in the healthcare industry.

Color	Medical staff who wear it	Departments and units
Blue (Royal and Navy)	Nurses and surgical staff	Medical-surgical, ICU, and primary care units
Light Blue/Ceil	Clinical support staff (including surgical teams), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), medical assistants; light blue is sometimes chosen for general nursing staff, used interchangeably with darker blue	CNA teams, Operating Room (OR), medical-surgical, general floor support
Green/Teal	Surgeons and surgical support (Operating Room plus Pre-Op and Post-Op)	Operating Room, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), endoscopy, ER/ED
Black/Gray	Administrative staff, technicians, imaging and security teams, specialist clinicians	Admin, radiology, cath labs, security, and environmental services; increasingly popular in modern clinics
Red/Burgundy	Emergency services, Respiratory Therapists (RTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs)	Emergency (ED/ER), trauma, phlebotomy, and specialty therapist/diagnostic units
Pink/Printed/Patterned	Pediatricians, Labor and Delivery (L&D) teams, and women’s health specialists	Pediatric settings, Obstetrics and Gynecology offices, L&D, child life units, and women’s health settings
Purple	Oncologists, pediatricians, and women’s health specialists	Oncology or specialty units
Brown/Soft Yellows	Psychiatrists and therapists	Psychiatric or therapy
White	Lab staff and pharmacists; historically worn by physicians and nurses (less common today)	Laboratories, diagnostics departments

What do the Different Color Scrubs Mean?

Now, let's explore the meaning behind scrub colors in more detail and how each is typically used in healthcare settings.

Blue scrubs

Blue (in royal and navy blue shades) is the most common uniform color in US hospitals. It conveys a sense of calm and professionalism that helps patients feel at ease, and it’s instantly recognizable as the color of nursing and frontline care.

Blue scrubs are widely used among nurses and sometimes surgical staff across medical-surgical floors, the ICU, and general care units. They are also commonly worn in dentistry practices and clinics.

Ceil and light blue scrubs

Light blue conveys approachability and cleanliness. This makes it popular among CNAs and support staff who work directly with patients.

Ceil blue is also used in the operating theatre because the shade reduces glare and helps surgeons and their teams focus during procedures.

Green scrubs

Teal and green scrubs are often reserved for surgeons and operating room teams, including surgical technicians, anesthesiologists, and PACU departments.

Green symbolises healing and clarity, and as it's opposite to red on the color wheel, it contrasts well with blood and tissues. It helps surgical teams focus and reduces their eye strain while they perform lengthy procedures under bright surgical lights.

Gray and black scrubs

Gray scrubs and black scrubs are gaining popularity for their sleek, modern appearance. In hospital settings, the colors have come to present a polished professionalism that supports but stands apart from direct care.

This makes them a good choice for administrative staff, security, and certain technicians (especially those who need to hide stains!).

In clinics and specialist practices, black scrubs help create a contemporary, high-end vibe. Gray is a versatile, practical shade that suits roles supporting clinical teams behind the scenes.

Burgundy, wine, and red scrubs

Red-based scrub colors suggest urgency, energy, and vibrancy. This makes them a good choice for fast-paced care settings.

Burgundy and wine scrubs are commonly used in emergency departments, respiratory therapy, or phlebotomy. Here, they stand out in the busy, sometimes frantic environment and help patients quickly identify essential staff.

Purple scrubs

Purple conveys compassion and wisdom, making purple scrubs popular for medical professionals providing specialty care, e.g., in oncology and women’s health.

The gentle presence of purple helps patients feel more at ease during appointments that often involve sensitive discussions or treatments.

Patterned, printed, and pink scrubs

Pink and patterned hospital scrubs embody warmth and emotional comfort. These colors and styles allow healthcare professionals to express individuality while enhancing patient care and building trust, comfort, and rapport.

Pink is one of the most popular scrub colors for pediatric nurses and child life specialists. The shade helps to soften the setting for children and expectant parents.

Prints scrubs add color and personality, creating a warmer, more approachable space. They reduce patient anxiety and make for a friendlier interaction.

Tooniforms scrubs, featuring popular cartoon characters, are especially effective in pediatrics. They engage young patients and make the healthcare environment more comfortable and less intimidating.

Brown, earth tones, and soft yellow scrubs

Brown and earthy tones symbolize grounding and calm. Therapists and behavioral health teams often use these natural colors to create a more relaxed, non-clinical atmosphere.

Natural brown scrubs and similar colors support a trust-building environment where patients dealing with mental health issues feel safer and less anxious.

White scrubs

White symbolizes cleanliness and purity. Historically, white scrubs were worn by physicians, surgeons, and nurses. However, they are far less common today because they stain easily, are harder to maintain, and crucially reflect excessive glare under operating room lights.

We still see white scrubs today in laboratories, pharmacy departments, sterile settings, and diagnostic departments.

Why Do We Have Color-Coded Scrubs?

The main reasons for different colored medical scrubs are:

Clear role identification: Color coding allows staff to quickly identify the roles and expertise of the professionals around them. This is especially vital in emergency settings.
Easier for patients: Different uniform colors help patients differentiate between their primary care team and support staff.
Patient comfort: Colors like blue and green provide reassurance. Warm, brighter tones and patterns make high-stress environments more friendly and comfortable.
Restricted areas: Many large hospitals assign colors to high-risk or restricted areas, such as the OR, Sterile Processing Department (SPD), Labor and Delivery, or Isolation units.
Professional appearance: Hospitals may use a consistent color scheme (for example, royal or navy blue) to project a professional image.

FAQs

Do doctors wear green scrubs?

Yes, doctors often wear green scrubs, especially in operating rooms and the ER. The color improves visibility against red tones like blood and helps doctors maintain focus during procedures. Not all doctors wear green, but it’s strongly associated with surgical settings.

Can staff choose their own scrub colors?

It depends on the healthcare facility. Some hospitals have strict color codes for consistency, while other centers allow staff to express their personal preferences, including mix-and-match scrubs. Always check your workplace’s dress code before buying your work attire.

What color scrubs do med students wear?

Medical students commonly wear gray, light blue, or navy blue scrubs, although this can differ depending on the institution.

Wrap Up

You will appreciate that in a busy hospital with multiple departments, a color-coded uniform system makes sense. It goes beyond professional appearances; it helps everyone quickly identify teams and their functions, which leads to smoother workflows and faster assistance for patients.

Whether you're looking for regular colored scrubs or fun prints to match your energetic vibe, shop Dr Woof's fantastic range of men's scrubs and women's lines. Find your perfect scrubs and make a great impact and impression, whatever your role.