How to change the output color of echo in Linux?

To change the output color of echo in Linux, you use ANSI escape codes embedded in the string. These codes allow you to set text color, background color, and text styles (e.g., bold, underline). Here’s how to do it:

1. Basic Syntax

Use the following format in your echo command:

echo -e "\e[<COLOR_CODE>m<YOUR_TEXT>\e[0m"

• -e enables interpretation of backslash escapes (required for ANSI codes).
• \e[ or \033[ starts the ANSI code sequence.
• <COLOR_CODE>m defines the color/style (see tables below).
• \e[0m resets the text to default.

2. Text Color Codes

Code	Color	Example
30	Black	echo -e "\e[30mBlack Text\e[0m"
31	Red	echo -e "\e[31mRed Text\e[0m"
32	Green	echo -e "\e[32mGreen Text\e[0m"
33	Yellow	echo -e "\e[33mYellow Text\e[0m"
34	Blue	echo -e "\e[34mBlue Text\e[0m"
35	Magenta	echo -e "\e[35mMagenta Text\e[0m"
36	Cyan	echo -e "\e[36mCyan Text\e[0m"
37	White	echo -e "\e[37mWhite Text\e[0m"

3. Background Color Codes

Code	Background Color	Example
40	Black	echo -e "\e[44;37mBlue BG, White Text\e[0m"
41	Red	echo -e "\e[41mRed Background\e[0m"
42	Green	echo -e "\e[42mGreen Background\e[0m"
43	Yellow	echo -e "\e[43mYellow Background\e[0m"
44	Blue	echo -e "\e[44mBlue Background\e[0m"
45	Magenta	echo -e "\e[45mMagenta Background\e[0m"
46	Cyan	echo -e "\e[46mCyan Background\e[0m"
47	White	echo -e "\e[47mWhite Background\e[0m"

4. Text Style Codes

Code	Style	Example
1	Bold	echo -e "\e[1mBold Text\e[0m"
2	Dim	echo -e "\e[2mDim Text\e[0m"
4	Underline	echo -e "\e[4mUnderlined\e[0m"
5	Blink	echo -e "\e[5mBlinking\e[0m"
7	Invert	echo -e "\e[7mInverted\e[0m"

5. Combining Styles and Colors

Combine codes with semicolons (;):

echo -e "\e[1;31;42mBold Red Text on Green Background\e[0m"

• 1 = Bold, 31 = Red text, 42 = Green background.

6. Using printf Instead of echo

For better compatibility (especially in scripts):

printf "\e[34mBlue Text\e[0m\n"

7. Using tput (More Readable)

The tput command abstracts ANSI codes for better readability:

echo "$(tput setaf 1)Red Text$(tput sgr0)"

• tput setaf <n>: Set foreground color (0-7).
• tput setab <n>: Set background color (0-7).
• tput sgr0: Reset styles.

Examples

1. Red bold text:

   echo -e "\e[1;31mError!\e[0m"

2. Yellow text on blue background:

   echo -e "\e[33;44mWarning!\e[0m"

3. Underlined green text:

   echo -e "\e[4;32mSuccess!\e[0m"

Notes

• Always include \e[0m to reset formatting.
• Not all terminals support all styles (e.g., blinking may be disabled).
• For 256-color support, use codes like \e[38;5;<n>m (replace <n> with 0-255).

This method works in most Linux terminals (e.g., GNOME Terminal, Konsole).