What color is typically used for the neutral conductor?

• A. Black
• B. White
• C. Green
• D. Red

Answer: (C)

In electrical wiring, color coding helps you quickly identify each conductor’s purpose. The neutral conductor is the return path that completes the circuit, so it’s kept a light color to distinguish it from the hot conductors. The standard color for neutral is white (gray is sometimes seen in older installations). Green or green-yellow is reserved for equipment grounding, not neutral, and hot conductors are typically black or red. So, the color typically used for the neutral conductor is white. If a white conductor is repurposed as something else, it must be re-identified with tape, but white remains the standard for neutral.