Science, Tech, Math › Science Colored Smoke Recipes Simple Colored Smoke Formulas Share Flipboard Email Print Make red or pink smoke by vaporizing an organic dye. Henrik Sorensen, Getty Images Science Chemistry Physical Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated June 08, 2018 One way to make smoke is to craft a smoke bomb, but you can make a smoke powder, too. Here are some formulations for colored smokes. The parts or percents are by weight. Basically what you do is measure the ingredients, sift them together to mix them, and ignite the powder to produce smoke. Up to 2% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) may be added to slow the combustion/cool the reaction, if necessary. White Smoke Recipe Potassium nitrate - 4 partsCharcoal - 5 partsSulfur - 10 partsWood dust - 3 parts Red Smoke Recipe Potassium chlorate - 15%para-nitroaniline red - 65%Lactose - 20% Green Smoke Recipe Synthetic indigo - 26%Auramine (yellow) - 15%Potassium chlorate - 35%Lactose - 26% Reference: The formulations for colored smoke bombs came from Wouter's Practical Pyrotechnics, who cited the recipes as originating from L.P. Edel, "Mengen en Roeren", 2nd edition (1936). Wouter's website is very helpful. Though I didn't see recipes for other colors of smoke, he has an extensive list of formulas for colored fireworks, which you may be able to adapt to make colored smoke. More Dyes and Colors If you can order chemicals, here are some of the dyes used to produce more colors: Red: Disperse Red 9 (older formulation)Solvent Red 1 with Disperse Red 11Solvent Red 27 (C.I. 26125)Solvent Red 24 Orange: Solvent Yellow 14 (C.I. 12055) Yellow: Vat Yellow 4 with benzanthrone (older formulation)Solvent Yellow 33Solvent Yellow 16 (C.I. 12700)Solvent Yellow 56Oil Yellow R Green: Vat Yellow 4 with benzanthrone and Solvent Green 3 (older formulation)Solvent Yellow 33 and Solvent Green 3Solvent Green 3Oil Green BG Blue: Solvent Blue 35 (C.I. 26125)Solvent Blue 36Solvent Blue 5 Violet: Disperse Red 9 with 1,4-diamino-2,3-dihydroanthraquinoneSolvent Violet 13 Use care if you try these additional dyes. If you know of a reliable reference for additional colored smoke formulations, please feel free to contact me. Colored Smoke Safety Information Read and follow the safety information for all the chemicals that you use. Use colored smoke outdoors only, in a well-ventilated area. Disclaimer: Please be advised that the content provided by our website is for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Fireworks and the chemicals contained within them are dangerous and should always be handled with care and used with common sense. By using this website you acknowledge that ThoughtCo., its parent About, Inc. (a/k/a Dotdash), and IAC/InterActive Corp. shall have no liability for any damages, injuries, or other legal matters caused by your use of fireworks or the knowledge or application of the information on this website. The providers of this content specifically do not condone using fireworks for disruptive, unsafe, illegal, or destructive purposes. You are responsible for following all applicable laws before using or applying the information provided on this website.