This long-form guide compares green vs red exit signs so you can choose the right legend color for your building. It covers what typically decides color in the U.S. (code basics + AHJ preferences), visibility and contrast in real spaces (bright interiors vs low-light, glare, and light haze), when consistency matters more than hue, and how technology (LED, edge-lit, photoluminescent, tritium) can change what “red” or “green” looks like in practice.
Quick answer: If your AHJ allows either, pick green when low-light or light haze is a realistic concern, pick red when you need maximum daytime contrast in bright/pale interiors, and keep the same color consistent along each continuous egress route.
Quick Picks: Color-at-a-Glance
Choose Green When…
- Low-light conditions are plausible (stair towers, warehouses, nighttime operations).
- You expect light haze (busy industrial spaces) and want strong “I can spot it fast” presence.
- You want to align with common international “safe way out” conventions for diverse occupants.
- You’re standardizing a full building and want a consistent wayfinding cue everywhere.
Choose Red When…
- Your AHJ / local amendment / owner standard requires or strongly prefers red.
- Spaces are brightly lit with pale finishes and you need maximum daytime contrast.
- Your facility already uses red EXIT legends and you want consistency without a full changeover.
- You want a more attention-grabbing look in high-activity environments.
When Compliance (or Consistency) Decides
- Some jurisdictions/campuses specify legend color and/or letter size. AHJ wins.
- Pick one color per continuous egress route for fast recognition under stress.
- Technology matters: LED/edge-lit/photolum/tritium can change how “red” or “green” reads in the real world.
Why are some exit signs green and some red?
In practice, EXIT legend color usually comes down to a mix of regional preference, legacy building standards, and AHJ expectations. Many facilities simply match what’s already installed so occupants see one consistent cue along the egress path.
Another reason: different environments “reward” different contrast choices. In bright interiors with pale walls, red can be more visually dominant. In low-light conditions, many teams prefer green’s visibility and recognition at a glance. The best answer is rarely “always red” or “always green”— it’s “what’s compliant here, and what’s easiest to spot in this building?”
Code basics vs AHJ reality (what actually decides)
- Start with your AHJ: If your jurisdiction requires a specific legend color (or letter size), that ends the debate.
- Use listed, code-ready equipment: Specify exit signs that meet applicable listing and emergency visibility expectations for your project.
- Prioritize legibility: Contrast, letter stroke, placement, and arrows at decision points matter as much as (or more than) color.
- Keep it consistent: One color per continuous route reduces hesitation under stress.
Tip: If you manage multiple buildings, document a simple “campus standard” (color + mounting rules + arrows) so installs stay consistent over time—especially when different contractors do different floors.
Visibility & legibility (low light, haze/smoke, glare, wall colors)
Low light & night conditions
In darker environments, occupants rely on fast recognition and contrast. If your building has areas that routinely go dim (or could during an outage), many teams favor green for immediate “that’s the way out” detection.
Haze/smoke & scattering
Smoke/haze reduces contrast and scatters light. No legend color is “smoke-proof,” so the safer play is: maximize contrast, keep routes consistent, place signs at decision points, and test visibility with a lights-out walk.
Bright ambient light & pale backgrounds
In high-illumination areas (lobbies, retail, bright corridors), red often stands out strongly against pale finishes and visual noise. This can help occupants continuously register exit locations during normal operations.
Color-vision deficiency
Red/green differentiation can be challenging for some viewers. That’s why contrast, letter size, stroke, matte faces, and consistent placement are non-negotiable—regardless of which color you choose.
Technology matters: LED vs edge-lit vs photoluminescent vs tritium
LED (internally illuminated)
The most common commercial option. Many models are field-selectable red/green, which is ideal when specs change late or you standardize across sites. Focus on contrast, arrows, and mounting visibility at approaches.
Edge-lit acrylic
Popular in premium interiors for a clean “floating” look. Red/green can both work—your decision is mostly about interior finishes, glare control, and sightlines.
Photoluminescent (glow, no power)
Great for “no wiring / no batteries” designs—but performance depends on charging light and placement. Many manufacturers specify charging requirements (often around ~5 fc / ~54 lux at the sign face during occupancy). Always follow the specific product instructions and your AHJ.
Tritium (self-luminous, always-on)
Power-free and continuously visible, often used where wiring is difficult. Red/green options exist—your choice is typically driven by local preference and building standardization. Be sure to plan for end-of-life handling and any jurisdictional rules.
Best uses by space & audience
Healthcare, Schools, Hospitality
Calm, instantly recognizable guidance matters. Many teams prefer green for an intuitive “safe way out” cue—especially across large campuses. The most important rule is consistency across floors and wings.
Industrial, Utilities, High-Activity Spaces
In bright, busy environments with pale walls and lots of signage, red often delivers bold contrast. If you expect dim operations or frequent low-light zones, consider green—then test in a lights-out walk.
Warehouses, Big-Box Retail, Atriums
Long sightlines make placement and viewing distance critical. Either color can work—choose the legend that’s most legible at distance in your finishes, add chevrons where aisles/mezzanines create ambiguity, and keep it consistent.
Offices & Mixed-Use
Either color is usually viable. The “win” is not the hue—it’s uniformity across corridors and stairs, good contrast, and correct arrow usage at every decision point.
Consistency & wayfinding (why mixing colors hurts)
The fastest evacuation path is the one people recognize without thinking. Pick a color and keep it consistent along each continuous egress route. Mixing red and green within the same sightline can add hesitation, especially under stress.
Product picks (red/green options by type)
If your spec allows either color, prioritize field-selectable models for flexibility, then choose the legend color that best matches your environment. Browse all types here: Exit Signs.
| Best For | Type | Legend Options | Shop Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most buildings (default) | LED exit sign (field-selectable) | Red or Green | Low-Profile Field-Selectable Red/Green LED |
| Durability / vandal resistance | Steel LED exit sign | Red or Green | Steel LED Exit Sign (Red/Green) |
| Budget edge-lit look | Edge-lit LED | Red or Green | Edge-Lit LED Exit Sign (Red/Green) |
| Exit + egress illumination | Exit sign + emergency heads (combo) | Red or Green | Exit + Emergency Combo (Red/Green) |
| No wiring / no batteries | Photoluminescent | Red or Green | Photoluminescent Exit Signs |
| Always-on, power-free | Tritium (self-luminous) | Red or Green | Tritium Exit Signs (Self-Luminous) |
Decision framework (checklist)
- Ask your AHJ about legend color (and size). If they require red or green, that decides it.
- Match existing signage where practical. Consistency beats “perfect theory” in a piecemeal retrofit.
- Audit your lighting conditions. Dim areas → lean green. Bright/pale interiors → lean red.
- Pick the right technology. LED vs edge-lit vs photolum vs tritium changes maintenance and appearance.
- Verify the “power story.” Battery backup, generator/inverter circuit, or power-free (photolum/tritium) must meet your project requirements.
- Confirm placement + arrows. Add chevrons where the route turns or is not obvious; keep arrow usage consistent.
- Document & test. Do a lights-out walk (and for photolum, confirm charging conditions per the manufacturer).
Visuals & explainers
FAQ
Do exit signs have to be red or green?
In the U.S., red and green are both common and widely accepted, but some jurisdictions/campuses mandate a specific legend color (and sometimes letter size). When in doubt, confirm with your AHJ.
Is it okay to mix red and green exit signs in the same building?
It’s usually better not to mix colors along the same continuous egress route. If you inherit mixed colors, prioritize standardizing the most confusing sightlines first (intersections, stair doors, long corridors).
Does photoluminescent change the color decision?
It can. Photolum signs rely on charging conditions and often have a greenish emission in the dark. If you go photolum, confirm charging light and placement per the product’s instructions and your AHJ.
Which is “more visible” in smoke?
There’s no magic color for heavy smoke. Prioritize correct placement at decision points, high contrast, consistent routes, and testing. Where permitted, consider additional low-level egress marking strategies for challenging environments.