For years, refrigerant cylinders were painted in distinctive colours to identify the gas inside. The system has changed, so it’s important to understand both the history and current best practice.
The old colour-coding
Historically, manufacturers used specific cylinder colours for common refrigerants — for example particular shades associated with R22, R134a, R404A and R410A. Engineers often learned to recognise gases by colour at a glance.
Why you can’t rely on colour any more
The industry has moved towards standardising cylinder colours (commonly a uniform grey for many refrigerants), precisely because relying on colour became unsafe as the number of refrigerants grew. Always read the label — never identify a refrigerant by cylinder colour alone.
Best practice
- Always confirm the refrigerant from the printed label, not the colour
- Check the cylinder is genuine, correctly labelled and within test date
- For flammable refrigerants, note the safety markings and handle accordingly
FAQ
What colour is an R410A cylinder? Historically a specific colour was associated with it, but colour coding is being standardised — always rely on the label, not the colour.
Browse clearly labelled, genuine refrigerants in our online shop.