Cincinnati Bengals Logo History: 1968 to Today
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 26th 2026
- Orange helmet with "Bengals" in black block letters outlined in white, no stripe.
- The table below runs from 1968 to 2023.
- Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
This guide covers the Cincinnati Bengals logo and helmet marks from the first design to 2026, mostly from Wikipedia and team news. It does not cover every minor change.
Cincinnati Bengals logo history timeline
| Year | Change | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Orange helmet with "Bengals" in black block letters outlined in white, no stripe | Same orange as the Browns |
| 1980 | Facemask changes from gray to black | Small update |
| 1981 | Orange helmet with black tiger stripes introduced | The signature design |
| 1997 | Leaping tiger logo added to the sleeves; tiger-head alternate logo | Late-90s update |
| 2004 | Orange "B" covered with black tiger stripes | Modern primary logo |
| 2021 | Redesigned uniform puts the wordmark on the chest | "New Stripes" set |
| 2022 | Alternate white helmet with black stripes | After the NFL rescinded the one-helmet rule |
| 2023 | White helmet paired with the primary white uniform for two games | White Bengal precursor |
This guide describes logos in words and tables. Standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
1968 to 1980: the plain orange helmet
The original Bengals used the same orange as the Cleveland Browns, with black as the secondary color. The helmet was orange with "Bengals" in black block letters outlined in white on each side and no stripe. Paul Brown rejected an early striped design. The facemask changed from gray to black in 1980.
1981 to 2003: the tiger stripes
In 1981 the team introduced the orange helmet with black tiger stripes. Sports Illustrated called the new helmets "varicose pumpkins," but the striped design remains the signature. In 1997 a leaping tiger logo went on the sleeves, with an alternate tiger head facing left.
2004 to now: the striped B
A new logo appeared in 2004, an orange "B" covered with black tiger stripes. The 2021 uniforms put the wordmark on the chest, and in 2022 a black-striped white alternate helmet was added. The team wore it with the primary white uniform for two games in 2023.
Bengals helmet and logo placement
The helmet is orange with black tiger stripes (from 1981), preceded by the plain orange wordmark helmet of 1968. The white alternate helmet has black stripes.
Reading the Bengals timeline: old logo, new logo
Fans search for the Bengals logo, the Bengals old logo and the Bengals new logo, and this page answers all three. The newest entry is the last row of the table; earlier rows are older logos and wordmarks. A logo can change on the helmet, on the sleeves or on the chest at different times, so the same year can appear in more than one row. To date an older jersey, compare the product photo with the table: look at the wordmark, the sleeve mark and the facemask color. Where the sources we read disagree or give no year, the table leaves the year out rather than guess.
Logo changes and jersey changes
A logo and a jersey do not always change together. For the uniform side of the story, read the Cincinnati Bengals uniform history and the Cincinnati Bengals jerseys 2026 guide. For retired-player styles, see legends jerseys.
Old logo, new logo: which jersey to buy
If you like an older look, Cincinnati Bengals throwback jerseys is the place to start. If you want what the team wears now, choose the current home or away jersey. Nike Game is the everyday tier and Limited adds sewn-on numbers; compare them in the Nike Game vs Limited vs Elite guide, and check the NFL jersey size chart. Men's, women's and youth sizes are available. Logo patches and decals vary by style, so look at the product photo before you order.
Cincinnati Bengals Logo History FAQ
What is the Bengals logo?
An orange "B" covered with black tiger stripes.
When did the Bengals get tiger stripes?
1981, on the helmet.
What was the first Bengals logo?
The word "BENGALS" in black block letters on an orange helmet, in 1968.
Do the Bengals have a white helmet?
Yes, an alternate since 2022.