CentOS Logo PNG
The CentOS logo demonstrates the technical reliability and stability of the open-source operating system. Its minimalist design symbolizes functionality, precision, and a focus on the professional community.
CentOS grew from Caos Linux, an RPM-based distribution started by Gregory Kurtzer in 2002. A related project, Caos-EL, emerged in 2003 to rebuild RHEL’s open-source packages without commercial branding or license fees. Renamed Community Enterprise Operating System, it issued CentOS 2 in May 2004, based on RHEL 2.1.
Developers removed Red Hat trademarks, recompiled the packages, and distributed a system designed to be binary compatible with RHEL. Kurtzer left in 2005, but volunteers continued the work. Hosting providers and smaller organizations adopted CentOS for its long support cycle and predictable server environment. Its release cycle mirrored RHEL and preserved compatibility across the RHEL software ecosystem. Tao Linux merged into the project in 2006.
In January 2014, the company behind RHEL joined the CentOS project and gained influence over its direction, while the distribution remained formally independent. CentOS Stream was announced in September 2019 as a development branch placed ahead of future RHEL releases, replacing the established model based on rebuilding completed versions.
In December 2020, support for CentOS Linux 8 ended on December 31, 2021, eight years earlier than planned. CentOS Linux 7 remained supported until 2024. Kurtzer responded by developing Rocky Linux, while CloudLinux launched AlmaLinux. Both projects followed the former CentOS model and offered RHEL-compatible systems to organizations unwilling to adopt the Stream release.
Meaning and History
What is CentOS?
It was a free Linux-based operating system for corporate use, fully compatible with a popular commercial platform but distributed without licensing fees. Companies chose it for stability, security, and cost-effectiveness. An independent developer community managed the project, removing proprietary components.
2004 – 2005
The CentOS operating system logo was officially introduced in 2005, shortly after the system’s release. The composition consists of a graphic symbol and a typographic element, arranged horizontally.
The graphic symbol is a geometric ornament composed of a square divided into four equal segments, colored green (#9CCD2A), blue (#262577), purple (#A14F8C), and orange (#EFA724). White lines separate each segment and point toward one another, creating a complex yet harmonious stylized pattern reminiscent of a knot or ornamental motif. The arrows symbolize interaction and progressive development in multiple directions, emphasizing CentOS’s versatility and functional flexibility.
To the right of the ornament is the name “CentOS” in a large geometric sans-serif typeface. The glyphs have rounded edges and wide proportions, rendered in a light lavender gradient with a subtle three-dimensional effect. This gives the wordmark a futuristic feel, underscoring the brand’s technological focus and the product’s modernity.
The bright color palette reflects the system’s extensive capabilities and its appeal to a diverse audience of IT professionals. The colors were chosen to evoke dynamism, stability, creativity, and openness.
2005 – 2022
The updated CentOS logo, used from 2005 to 2021, retained the recognizability of the original design while adopting a more structured, contrasting visual style. The composition still consists of two interconnected elements: the geometric emblem and the operating system’s typographic name.
The main changes are in the typographic part, which is placed to the right of the symbol and now appears as a simple black “CentOS” in a large sans-serif font. The typeface is bold with a strong geometric base and softly rounded corners, emphasizing reliability and product quality. The glyphs feature thick strokes with precise contours, lending the wordmark a professional and confident appearance.
The color palette kept its brightness and expressiveness. The use of solid black in the typography strengthened the logo’s professional and technological character, improving its clarity across different media.
In the early 2020s, discussions began about revising the logo to create a simpler visual form that would be easier to reproduce across various media and digital interfaces. This eventually led to the introduction of a more minimalist version for CentOS Stream.
2022 – today
The current CentOS logo, officially introduced in 2022, was created by the CentOS Artwork SIG team in collaboration with Red Hat’s branding group, led by designer Alain Reguera Delgado. The update was first announced in January 2020 as part of the project’s shift to the CentOS Stream model, which delivers updates continuously and supports ongoing product modernization.
The emblem is a simplified geometric figure in a flat style, placed on a circular purple background. The internal white figure retains the outer contour of the original square ornament. Still, it is rendered with fewer details for a cleaner look. Instead of the previous multicolor scheme, only three colors are used: white, orange, and purple. At the center is an orange eight-pointed star, symbolizing the system’s core and its dynamic growth. One orange arrow pointing northeast represents forward movement, progress, and the platform’s future. The remaining arrows are white with thin purple outlines, blending into the white base and reinforcing a minimalist, technological aesthetic.
The typographic part, positioned to the right of the symbol, is the name “CentOS” in large, black, sans-serif type. The font features clear, bold glyphs with moderate rounding and clean lines, creating a reliable, stable, and confident visual impression.
This new approach to visual identity reflects the project’s philosophy, shift to the CentOS Stream model, openness to constant change, and alignment with the needs of the digital era. The palette was deliberately simplified to enhance recognizability and make the logo easier to reproduce across digital platforms, interfaces, documentation, and promotional materials.
