Logos & Marks
At BYU we use the approved identity marks outlined below. No additional logos, symbols, icons, or graphic marks may be used to represent the university.
In addition to the specifications below, please note these overarching guidelines:
- BYU’s logos and marks must be used as provided and may not be altered in any way.
- To protect the integrity of BYU’s logos and marks, keep competing visual graphics outside the designated clear space.
Primary Logo
The BYU monogram is the university’s primary identifying mark. Its bold type design is both classic and contemporary, academic and professional. It is suitable for all circumstances and should be used abundantly.
- Approved uses: All circumstances; this mark is especially appropriate for academic and institutional uses.
- Approved colors: Navy or white; never royal.
Secondary Logos
Stretch Y
The distinctive stretch Y logo suggests the university’s athletic success and heritage.
- Approved uses: Athletics only; the stretch Y cannot be used in non-athletic visual identities or communications.
- Approved colors: Navy or white; the stretch Y may appear in royal only on royal-themed athletic uniforms.
- Whenever possible, athletic teams should use the block BYU in tandem with the stretch Y to clarify the university’s name and identity.
Block BYU
The design of the block BYU reflects the Y on the mountain, our most visible identifier. This logo uses a collegiate typeface, suggesting the youth, energy, and tradition of a college campus.
- Approved uses: Auxiliary, athletic, and student life.
- Approved colors: Navy or white; the block BYU may appear in royal only on royal-themed athletic uniforms.
Block Y
The block Y logo imitates the Y on the mountain and is a versatile graphic asset.
- Approved uses: All situations, including academic, institutional, auxiliary, athletic, and student life.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
- The block Y is often best used as a supplementary graphic element, in tandem with a logo that uses the full initials. With external audiences, especially, the Y does not always quickly communicate that it references BYU.
Spirit Marks
Sailor Cougar
The sailor cougar graphic is an updated version of a mark used in decades past. It evokes both the university’s heritage and its energetic present.
- Approved uses: Informal situations, such as auxiliary, athletics, and student life or informal academic contexts.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
BYU Cougars Mark
The BYU Cougars wordmark uses the block BYU and the mascot name in Vitesse.
- Approved uses: Informal situations, such as auxiliary, athletics, and student life or informal academic contexts.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
Formal Marks
The formal identity of Brigham Young University is expressed in a medallion and a wordmark signature. Variations on the medallion are used by other Church Educational System schools.
Medallion
The medallion should be used sparingly and only in formal, official communications.
- Approved uses: Formal, official, institutional purposes (stationery, permanent signage, official communications, etc.).
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
- Campus entities may not use the medallion in their visual identities.
- Because of its fine lines and letterforms, the medallion is not well suited for small online usage.
Signature
The signature pairs the university’s primary mark with the Ringside wordmark is useful when you need to display the full name of the university.
- Approved uses: Official institutional purposes.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
Presidential Seal
BYU’s presidential seal is used on diplomas and in other limited situations. The university president must authorize its use.

Wordmarks
Ringside Wordmark
The Ringside wordmark is a versatile mark suitable for a variety of circumstances and media.
- Approved uses: All situations, including academic, institutional, auxiliary, athletic, and student life.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
- The Ringside wordmark is well suited for online applications.
Collegiate Wordmark
The collegiate wordmark uses a condensed version of Vitesse, the typeface used in the block BYU.
- Approved uses: Auxiliary, athletic, and student life.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
- The collegiate wordmark is well suited for online applications.
Deseret Wordmark
The Deseret wordmark uses the same typeface used in the Church logo and in the wordmarks for the other Church Educational System schools.
- Approved uses: Formal, official.
- Approved colors: Navy or white.
- Due to the delicate letterforms, the Deseret wordmark is not well suited for small online applications.
Usage Guidelines
As we all use BYU’s logos and marks consistently, we protect the integrity of the marks and build familiarity with the marks among our audiences. Please read and follow the usage guidelines below.
Do Not Alter
BYU’s logos and marks must not be altered in any way (color, typeface, shape, texture, pattern, dimension, etc.). The files available for download through this website must be used as is. Do not remove portions of a mark, such as taking out the B and U from the monogram and using only the Y or using the stretch Y without the oval container.
Color
The university logos and marks must only appear in approved colors, as outlined above and on the colors page. Do not change the color or tint of all or a portion of a logo.
Background
BYU’s logos and marks should be used on backgrounds that provide sufficient contrast for the logos to stand out clearly. Avoid cluttered or busy backgrounds. When possible, use navy or white as a background for BYU marks.
Minimum Size
Logos and marks should be large enough to be legible, especially in digital applications. Use the minimum size specifications above.
Spacing
Do not crowd the university logos and marks. To protect their prominence and avoid competition from other visual graphics, keep competing logos outside the designated clear space.
Trademark Symbols
The trademark (TM) and registered (®) symbols are only required on merchandise. You may remove those symbols when logos and marks are used in other university materials (brochures, websites, magazines, signs, etc.).
Incorrect Usage
BYU’s logos and marks must not be:
- used in non-BYU colors or in other color combinations than those offered for download on this site
- used in gradients or tints of the approved colors
- changed to incorporate a different typeface
- cropped
- embellished with drop shadows, textures, patterns, outlines, dimension, or other visual effects
- edited to delete portions (e.g., do not remove the B and U from the institutional monogram and use only the Y; do not use the stretch Y without the oval container)
- distorted in shape or proportion
- used as a watermark or background
Merchandise Marks
For merchandise purposes only, the university maintains a collection of additional graphic assets, including some archival marks. For more information about and access to these marks, contact the Licensing and Trademarks Office.