---
title: controlColor
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Type Property
path: appkit/nscolor/controlcolor
---

# controlColor

The color to use for the flat surfaces of a control.

## Declaration

```swift
class var controlColor: NSColor { get }
```

## Return Value

Return Value The system color used for the flat surfaces of a control. By default, the control color is a pattern color that will draw the ruled lines for the window background, which is the same as returned by windowBackgroundColor.

## Discussion

Discussion If you use controlColor assuming that it is a solid, you may have an incorrect appearance. You should use lightGray in its place.

## See Also

### Control colors

- [controlAccentColor](appkit/nscolor/controlaccentcolor.md)
- [controlBackgroundColor](appkit/nscolor/controlbackgroundcolor.md)
- [controlTextColor](appkit/nscolor/controltextcolor.md)
- [disabledControlTextColor](appkit/nscolor/disabledcontroltextcolor.md)
- [currentControlTint](appkit/nscolor/currentcontroltint.md)
- [selectedControlColor](appkit/nscolor/selectedcontrolcolor.md)
- [selectedControlTextColor](appkit/nscolor/selectedcontroltextcolor.md)
- [alternateSelectedControlTextColor](appkit/nscolor/alternateselectedcontroltextcolor.md)
- [scrubberTexturedBackground](appkit/nscolor/scrubbertexturedbackground.md)