What Color Is a Brain?

The brain is typically a pinkish-gray color. When you see a brain in a preserved state, such as in a laboratory or medical setting, it often appears gray due to the preservation process. However, in its natural state, the brain has a pinkish hue because of the blood vessels and the presence of blood. The outer layer, known as the cerebral cortex, is gray, which is why the brain is often referred to as ‘gray matter.’ The inner parts of the brain, including the white matter, are lighter in color due to the myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers.