In short: professional hair colour codes have two parts — the number before the dot is the level (how light or dark, 1 to 10), and the numbers after the dot are the tone (the reflect, such as ash, gold or copper). So 7.1 is a level 7 medium blonde with a .1 ash (cool) tone. This guide explains the system and how to read any shade code.
Written for salon professionals.
The two parts of a colour code
Almost every professional colour brand uses the same basic logic: a depth number, a dot, then one or more tone numbers — for example 7.1, 6.13 or 9.03. Read the part before the dot first (how light or dark), then the part after (the reflect you'll see).
Level: how light or dark (the first number)
The level, or depth, runs from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde), with some high-lift shades going higher. It tells you how light or dark the result is, before tone:
| Level | Depth |
|---|---|
| 1 | Black |
| 2–3 | Darkest / dark brown |
| 4–5 | Medium brown / light brown |
| 6 | Dark blonde |
| 7 | Medium blonde |
| 8 | Light blonde |
| 9 | Very light blonde |
| 10 | Lightest blonde |
Tone: the reflect (the numbers after the dot)
The numbers after the dot describe the tone or reflect. The first decimal is the dominant tone; a second decimal is a secondary tone. These reflect numbers are broadly shared across brands, but they are not identical — always check the manufacturer's shade chart for the exact line you're using.
| Code | Tone |
|---|---|
| .0 | Natural |
| .1 | Ash (cool; neutralises warmth) |
| .2 | Iridescent / matte (varies by brand) |
| .3 | Gold |
| .4 | Copper |
| .5 | Mahogany |
| .6 | Red |
What ".1 ash" means
A .1 ash tone carries cool, blue-based pigment. Because blue sits opposite orange on the colour wheel, ash shades help counteract the warm, brassy or orange tones that can appear when hair is lightened. That's why you reach for an ash when you want a cooler, more neutral blonde or brown and need to keep warmth in check.
For specific tone families in depth, see our ash blonde guide (7.1, 8.1 & 9.1) and our copper hair colour guide.
Worked example: 7.1
Take 7.1: the 7 tells you it's a medium blonde level, and the .1 tells you it's ash — so 7.1 is a medium ash blonde, a cool medium blonde that helps neutralise warmth. A 6.13 would be a dark blonde (6) with ash (1) as the dominant tone and gold (3) as a secondary, giving a dark blonde with a soft, balanced cool-warm reflect.
Why brands differ
The level system is consistent across brands, and the most common reflects (.0 natural, .1 ash, .3 gold, .4 copper, .6 red) are widely shared. But some numbers differ — a .2 can mean a violet-ash in one range and a green-matte in another — and a few brands use a slash (7/1) instead of a dot. The safest habit is to read the brand's own shade chart. We cover the major lines in our brand guides, including the Wella Koleston Perfect Me+ shade guide, the L'Oreal Majirel guide and the L'Oreal Dia Light guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does 7.1 hair colour mean?
Level 7 (medium blonde) with a .1 ash tone — a cool, medium ash blonde that helps neutralise warmth.
What does the number after the dot mean?
It's the tone, or reflect: for example .0 natural, .1 ash, .3 gold, .4 copper, .6 red. The first decimal is the main tone and a second decimal is a secondary tone.
What does .1 ash do?
Ash shades carry cool, blue-based pigment that counteracts orange and brassy warmth, for a cooler, more neutral result.
Is the numbering the same across all brands?
The level (depth) system is consistent, and the common reflects are widely shared, but exact tone numbers vary by brand — always check the manufacturer's shade chart.
Which colour neutralises orange or brassy tones?
A cool ash (.1) shade or an ash-based toner. The level you choose depends on how light the hair is.
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Written by Charlotte Read, Content Writer at Hairco & Beauty. Charlotte has over six years' experience in professional hair and beauty, and our guides are informed by colleagues with 100+ years of combined salon experience and by insight from the trade customers we supply. More about our content.
