What RAL colour is a British red pillar box?

It’s one of the most common questions we're asked by architects and designers: "We want our mailboxes to match a traditional British pillar box – what is the RAL code?"

It got to the stage where we decided to do something about it. So, with a camera and a RAL colour chart at the ready (and a brolly!), we ventured out to a Royal Mail red pillar box located on Bridle Lane, Streetly, to find the definitive answer.

The Investigation: Putting RAL to the Test

As you can see from the images below, "red" isn't just "red." There are dozens of variations in the RAL Classic range, and lighting plays a huge part in how the eye perceives the match.

While RAL 3001 (Signal Red) and RAL 3020 (Traffic Red) are the most frequent choices for those seeking that iconic look, the actual paint used on Royal Mail boxes has varied slightly over the decades. RAL 3020 is often cited as the closest modern equivalent for a vibrant, "freshly painted" look.

Why Finish Matters

At Post Boxes UK, we don't just "paint" our boxes. We use a high-quality Polyester Powder Coating process. This is electrostatically applied and then oven-baked to create a hard-wearing, weather-resistant finish. For red mailboxes especially, we ensure the powder has high UV stability to prevent the colour from fading into pink over time under the British sun.

Bespoke Colours for Every Project

While "Pillar Box Red" is a classic, we can finish our mailboxes in any colour from the RAL Classic chart. Whether you need to match company branding, window mullions, or a specific architectural feature, we can provide a solution.

We can also offer different gloss levels, from a sleek Matt finish to a high-shine Gloss, or even Textured finishes that help hide fingerprints in high-traffic lobby areas.

Are you trying to match a specific colour for your development? Contact us today and we can help you identify the perfect RAL code and finish for your project.