diff --git a/lib/ansible/utils/color.py b/lib/ansible/utils/color.py
index f32a5300777..75dd15cae72 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/utils/color.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/utils/color.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
+import re
 import sys
 
 from ansible import constants as C
@@ -66,11 +67,28 @@ codeCodes = {
     'normal':    u'0'   ,
 }
 
+def parsecolor(color):
+    """SGR parameter string for the specified color name."""
+    matches = re.match(r"color(?P<color>[0-9]+)"
+                       r"|(?P<rgb>rgb(?P<red>[0-5])(?P<green>[0-5])(?P<blue>[0-5]))"
+                       r"|gray(?P<gray>[0-9]+)", color)
+    if not matches:
+        return codeCodes[color]
+    if matches.group('color'):
+        return u'38;5;%d' % int(matches.group('color'))
+    if matches.group('rgb'):
+        return u'38;5;%d' % (16 + 36 * int(matches.group('red'))
+                             + 6 * int(matches.group('green'))
+                             + int(matches.group('blue')))
+    if matches.group('gray'):
+        return u'38;5;%d' % (232 + int(matches.group('gray')))
+
 def stringc(text, color):
     """String in color."""
 
     if ANSIBLE_COLOR:
-        return "\n".join([u"\033[%sm%s\033[0m" % (codeCodes[color], t) for t in text.split('\n')])
+        color_code = parsecolor(color)
+        return "\n".join([u"\033[%sm%s\033[0m" % (color_code, t) for t in text.split('\n')])
     else:
         return text