Is Adult Coloring Still Popular in 2026?
Based on original research from 252 US adult colorers, April 2026.
Search "is adult coloring still popular" and you'll find a string of 2018 think-pieces declaring the trend dead. Eight years later, our April 2026 survey of US adult colorers makes the same claim look premature. Adult coloring isn't a trend anymore. It's a steady, unspectacular habit that millions of adults reach for to wind down. That's reflected in how many people are still printing the Coloring Therapy adult coloring library every week.
Year-over-year: most colorers haven't slowed down
Source: Coloring Therapy April 2026 survey, n=252 US adults.
49% of colorers are coloring about the same as a year ago, 22% are coloring more often, and 29% are coloring less often. The picture isn't explosive growth, but it isn't collapse either. 71% are coloring at least as much as last year, which is the real story: a steady habit, not a fading trend.
Paper still dominates over apps
Source: Coloring Therapy April 2026 survey, n=252 US adults.
Despite a decade of investment in coloring apps, 87% of colorers still prefer paper. Only 6% prefer apps. Whatever's driving the durability of adult coloring, it isn't being replaced by the screen.
The "why" hasn't changed either
Source: Coloring Therapy April 2026 survey, n=252 US adults.
41% of colorers say their main reason to color is to escape screens, and another large chunk reach for it as a focus tool. The motivation looks identical to what it looked like at the 2017 peak. Only the distribution channel has changed. The full picture, including tools, session habits, and design preferences, is in our full 2026 adult coloring research report.
Why the "trend is dead" narrative keeps recycling
Three reasons. First, the 2015 to 2017 pop-culture peak was loud, so anything quieter looks like decline. Second, bookstore sales (the metric the press reaches for) fell because the format moved online to free PDFs, not because participation fell. Third, lifestyle journalism prefers a death-of-a-trend story because it generates more clicks. Within the surviving audience there's also been a quiet shift in style preference, which we cover in bold and easy vs detailed adult coloring pages.
What changed since 2017 (and what hasn't)
What changed: distribution shifted from physical books to free printable PDFs, and the framing matured from "adult coloring for stress" into a more practical "evening wind-down" use case.
What hasn't changed: most colorers still prefer paper over apps (87%), still color in the evening (58%), and still reach for coloring as a focus tool. The behaviour is identical. The press has just moved on.
What this means if you're returning to the hobby
You haven't missed anything. The library of free designs is larger than it's ever been. Open adult coloring pages PDF and pick something to print today.
Related research from the 2026 survey
- the full 2026 adult coloring research report
The complete findings from our reader survey, with methodology and interpretation.
- bold and easy vs detailed adult coloring pages
Aspiration vs what colorers actually finish, and how to choose.
- colored pencils vs markers for adult coloring
A tool guide informed by what colorers actually use and the designs they prefer.
Related coloring themes
Want to put this into practice? Browse mandala coloring pages for adults, trippy coloring pages for adults, or the psychology and benefits of coloring. Or open the full archive of grown-up coloring designs to see every themed adult coloring book in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Is the adult coloring trend dead?
No. In our April 2026 survey of US adult colorers, 71% are coloring as much or more than a year ago. The 'trend is dead' headline keeps recycling but isn't supported by the behaviour data.
When did adult coloring peak?
The cultural peak, measured in book sales and trend-press attention, was 2015 to 2017. But that peak was a pop-culture moment, not the start or end of the practice. Coloring has continued at high participation rates ever since.
Do adults still prefer paper coloring books over apps?
Yes, by a landslide. 87% of adult colorers we surveyed prefer the physical tactile feel of paper. Only 6% prefer apps, and 7% feel the two are about the same.
What's the most popular type of adult coloring page in 2026?
Highly detailed designs win at 44%, followed by bold and easy scenes (33%), then intricate mandalas and geometric patterns (23%).
Survey methodology
All findings on this page come from a 252-person online survey of US adults conducted via Prolific in April 2026. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not sum to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Want to start coloring? Open Our entire adult coloring catalog and pick a free PDF to print today.