Dark blonde is level 6 on the 1–10 depth scale, but the number says nothing about tone.
The same level reads natural as 6-0, ash as 6-12, copper as 6-77 or violet as 6-99, so the code after the base number decides what ends up on your head.
What Level 6 Blonde Means
Level 6 is dark blonde on the 1–10 scale colorists use to measure depth, where 1 is the darkest black and 10 is the lightest blonde.
The number tells you only how light or dark the color is, not whether it leans warm, cool or neutral.
Lower numbers mean darker hair, higher numbers mean lighter. Level 9 is very light blonde, level 10 extra light blonde.
Level 6 sits squarely in the dark blonde range, lighter than most brunettes but still holding enough depth that it reads as blonde with visible root shadow rather than the high-contrast platinum you get at level 9 or 10.
I think of it as the shade where blonde stops needing a modifier like "very light" and starts feeling like a color you could wear without constant toning appointments.
The scale measures depth, not tone. A level 6 can be honey, ash, beige or caramel depending on the undertones mixed in, but the base lightness stays the same.
Level 6 Shade Names
Level 6 splits into a dozen tones depending on which secondary number or letter sits after the base. 6-0 and Color Touch 6/0 deliver natural dark blonde with no added warmth or ash.
Move to 6-12 or cendre ash and the tone cools. 6.13 (dark ash golden) leans cooler but keeps gold underneath.
On the warm side, 6-5 and Color Touch 6/73 bring gold, 6-77 and Absolutes 6-07 tip into copper, and 6-88 and HueSee 6.66/6RR push red. 6-99 adds violet, useful for toning brassiness.
6-6 and Absolutes 6-60 are labeled chocolate, a richer neutral-brown dark blonde. Koleston 6/98 calls itself cendre pearl, mixing ash and iridescent tone.
| Code | Tone | Brand example |
|---|---|---|
| 6-0, 6/0 | Natural | Color Touch 6/0 |
| 6-12 | Cendre ash | n/a |
| 6.13 | Dark ash golden | n/a |
| 6-5, 6/73 | Gold | Color Touch 6/73 |
| 6-77, 6-07 | Copper | Absolutes 6-07 |
| 6-88, 6.66, 6RR | Red | HueSee 6.66/6RR |
| 6-99 | Violet | n/a |
| 6-6, 6-60 | Chocolate | Absolutes 6-60 |
| 6/98 | Cendre pearl | Koleston Perfect 6/98 |
Double numbers (77, 88, 99) and the extra digit after a decimal signal stronger tone deposit. A 6-7 would be lighter gold than 6-77.
Lift Needed for Lighter Blonde
Lift is the number of levels you go up.
If you start at level 7 and lighten to level 10, that’s 3 levels of lift. The target depends on the blonde you want: ash or platinum sits at level 9 or 10, medium blonde at 8 or 9, dark blonde at 7 or 8.
Using 20 Vol developer with color lifts 1–2 levels.
30 Vol gets you around 2–3 levels at most. Anything beyond that needs high lift color or bleach.
Once you bleach past level 6, the hair pulls warm: orange at lower levels, orange-yellow as you go higher, then yellow, then pale yellow. That’s where toner comes in.
Blue or blue-green cuts orange-yellow, straight blue handles yellow, and violet cancels pale yellow. The exact toner depends on the level you land at and how much warmth you’re left with.
Level 6 Product Types
The formula you pick changes how long the color lasts and whether it can cover gray.
- Permanent color lifts and deposits in one step. Igora Royal and Goldwell Topchic 6NN hold through multiple washes, and Koleston Perfect 6/98 and Igora Absolutes both claim up to 100% gray coverage at level 6.
- Demi-permanent sits between permanent and temporary. Wella Color Touch 6/0 lasts up to 24 shampoos without the commitment of a full oxidative process.
- Semi-permanent glazes add shine and refresh tone without lifting. Wella Shinefinity offers 06/71 (dark blonde brown ash) and 06/07, both rated for up to 6 weeks.
- Temporary masks wash out fastest. Wella Color Fresh Caramel Glaze comes in a 5.0 oz tube, used weekly to sweep warm tones over medium blonde.
Prices in the product listings run C$10.90 to C$37.90, so US readers should convert before comparing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level is my hair?
Hold your hair up to a level chart and match it to the closest shade.
The scale runs from level 1 (darkest black) to level 10 (lightest blonde), and level 6 falls in the dark blonde range. Check it in natural light and at the roots, since lightened lengths will read higher than your natural level.
Why do hair color levels matter?
Levels tell you how many steps lighter or darker you are going, and that decides your developer strength and whether you need bleach. They measure depth only, so tone (ash, gold, copper) is chosen separately.
How many levels do I need to lift my hair?
Subtract your current level from your target level.
Going from level 7 to level 10 is 3 levels of lift. A bigger gap usually means a stronger developer, high lift color or bleach.
How many levels can I lift with hair color?
20 Vol developer lifts about 1–2 levels, and 30 Vol lifts about 2–3 levels at most. If you need more than that, you move on to high lift color or bleach.
Which toner should I use after lightening?
Pick the toner whose pigment cancels the warmth left in your hair.
Blue or blue-green cuts orange-yellow, straight blue handles yellow, and violet cancels pale yellow. Lighten to your target level first, then tone, because the leftover warmth depends on where you land.
