McAfee Logo
The McAfee logo uses 2 primary colors. Its dominant color is Ginshu (#BD2E2B, closest Pantone 7620 C). McAfee operates in the Computer Security industry.
- Color family
- red
- Industry
- Computer Security
- Brand popularity
- Top 1% of indexed brands
- Website
- mcafee.com
Design analysis
The McAfee mark is a classic emblem-style combination mark: a solid red shield containing a white, geometric "M" monogram. The shield outline is slightly rounded at the base and comes to a subtle point, a silhouette instantly associated with defense and antivirus heritage. The "M" is constructed from thick, uniform strokes with sharp 45-degree terminals, giving it a engineered, modular feel that reads cleanly down to favicon size. No gradients, shadows, or 3D effects are present — the mark relies entirely on figure-ground contrast. This restraint makes it unusually durable across the fragmented surfaces where security brands live: browser toolbars, mobile app icons, endpoint agent tray icons, and co-branded partner badges. The wordmark, when used, sits to the right in a neutral, semi-condensed sans-serif (close to McAfee Sans), but the shield-and-M device carries full brand weight alone.
Logo colors, measured
Colors extracted from the logo image itself (background removed), with share of the mark each color covers.
Click a chip to copy its hex code.
The measured reds (#BD2E2B, #C01818) sit in a high-chroma, blue-red quadrant that signals urgency and authority without drifting into orange-territory warmth. Cybersecurity competitors cluster heavily around blue (trust, enterprise) and green (safe, clean); McAfee's red stake claims the "alert/protection" semantic space, reinforcing the shield metaphor. The single-hue palette also ensures the mark survives monochrome reproduction — fax, laser-etch, single-color embroidery — without losing identity.
Variations & downloads
Color variants generated from the vector source — free to download for identification, editorial and research use.
Visually similar logos
Nearest neighbors in visual embedding space — marks that share shape and structure with the McAfee logo, regardless of color or industry.
Brand web palette
Colors McAfee uses across its website — the broader brand system around the logo.
About McAfee
McAfee, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is an American global computer security software company. It was founded in 1987 by John McAfee and has since grown to become one of the leading companies in the cybersecurity industry. McAfee offers a wide range of products and services to protect businesses and individuals from online threats. Its main products include antivirus software, endpoint protection, network security, web protection, data protection, and security management solutions. These products are designed to defend against malware, viruses, ransomware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats. McAfee also provides consulting services to help organizations assess and improve their cybersecurity posture. On a global scale, McAfee has a significant presence in over 180 countries, serving millions of customers worldwide. The company operates through its various subsidiaries, including Skyhigh Networks, a cloud security company, which McAfee acquired in 2017. Additionally, it has formed strategic partnerships with other technology companies, such as Intel, to enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach. McAfee is recognized as one of the key players in the cybersecurity industry. It competes with other leading security software companies like Symantec, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro. In terms of market position, McAfee has consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity vendors, with a strong focus on enterprise security. Over the years, McAfee has experienced several major events and achievements. In 2004, the company was acquired by Intel, which further boosted its resources and capabilities. However, in 2016, Intel announced the spin-off of its majority stake in McAfee, resulting in the return of McAfee's independence as a standalone company. This strategic move allowed McAfee to refocus on innovation and growth. As of its current status, McAfee continues to be a leading cybersecurity company, constantly adapting and expanding its product l
Questions about the McAfee logo
Has the McAfee logo always been a red shield with an M?
No. Early versions (late 1980s–1990s) used a stylized "M" with a radiating burst or a simple wordmark. The shield-and-M emblem was introduced in the early 2000s and refined into its current flat, monochrome-red form during the 2014–2016 rebrand following the Intel spin-out.
Why does McAfee use red when most security brands use blue?
Red differentiates McAfee in a blue-saturated category and aligns with the "alert/stop" mental model users associate with antivirus warnings. The shield shape plus red creates a semiotic shortcut: protection that acts decisively, not just passively monitors.
What color is the McAfee logo?
The dominant color of the McAfee logo is Ginshu (hex #BD2E2B). The closest Pantone match is 7620 C.
How many colors does the McAfee logo have?
The McAfee logo uses 2 primary colors: #BD2E2B, #C01818.
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The McAfee logo is a trademark of its owner, shown here for identification and design research. Color data is measured from the public mark by LogoLabs; analysis is editorial commentary. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.