diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7c0cfab..506dc92 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ Rust.
 - Simple method-call syntax for applying colors and styles
 - Support for basic colors, bright colors, and background colors
 - Text styling (bold, dim, italic, underline, inverse, strikethrough)
-- RGB and HEX color support for both text and background
+- ANSI 256, RGB, and HEX color support for both text and background
 - Composed style chaining with predictable override behavior
 - Works with string literals, owned strings, and format macros
 - Zero dependencies
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ println!("{}", "Bold text".bold());
 println!("{}", "Italic text".italic());
 println!("{}", "Underlined text".underline());
 
-// RGB and Hex colors
+// ANSI 256, RGB, and Hex colors
+println!("{}", "ANSI 256 color".ansi256(208));
+println!("{}", "ANSI 256 background".on_ansi256(236));
 println!("{}", "Custom color".rgb(255, 128, 0));
 println!("{}", "Custom background".on_rgb(0, 128, 255));
 println!("{}", "Hex color".hex("#ff8000"));
@@ -127,8 +129,14 @@ println!("{}", "Back to plain text".red().bold().clear());
 - `.inverse()` - Swap foreground and background colors
 - `.strikethrough()` - Draw a line through the text
 
-### RGB, HSL, and Hex Colors
+### ANSI 256, RGB, HSL, and Hex Colors
 
+- `.ansi256(index)` - Custom text color using an ANSI 256-color index (0-255,
+  compile-time enforced)
+- `.on_ansi256(index)` - Custom background color using an ANSI 256-color index
+  (0-255, compile-time enforced)
+- `.color256(index)` - Alias for `.ansi256(index)`
+- `.on_color256(index)` - Alias for `.on_ansi256(index)`
 - `.rgb(r, g, b)` - Custom text color using RGB values (0-255, compile-time
   enforced)
 - `.on_rgb(r, g, b)` - Custom background color using RGB values (0-255,
@@ -148,6 +156,8 @@ println!("{}", "Back to plain text".red().bold().clear());
 
 - RGB values must be in range 0-255 (enforced at compile time via `u8` type)
 - Attempting to use RGB values > 255 will result in a compile error
+- ANSI 256-color indexes must be in range 0-255 (enforced at compile time via
+  `u8` type)
 - Hex color codes can be provided with or without the '#' prefix in either
   3-character shorthand or 6-character full form
 - Invalid hex codes (wrong length, invalid characters) will result in plain
@@ -164,6 +174,11 @@ println!("{}", "Green".hsl(120.0, 100.0, 50.0)); // Pure green
 println!("{}", "Blue".hsl(240.0, 100.0, 50.0));  // Pure blue
 println!("{}", "Gray".hsl(0.0, 0.0, 50.0));      // 50% gray
 
+// ANSI 256-color indexes use SGR 38;5/48;5 output
+println!("{}", "Orange".ansi256(208));
+println!("{}", "Dark background".on_ansi256(236));
+println!("{}", "Alias".color256(208).on_color256(236));
+
 // Hex colors work with or without #
 println!("{}", "Hex color".hex("#ff8000"));
 println!("{}", "Also valid".hex("ff8000"));
@@ -215,6 +230,10 @@ applications that want to force color on or off for a specific execution path.
 `NO_COLOR` still takes precedence in `Auto` and `Always` mode. If `NO_COLOR` is
 set, output is plain text.
 
+ANSI 256-color methods use the same runtime policy as the named, RGB, HSL, and
+hex color methods. `ColorMode` and `NO_COLOR` control whether ANSI 256 SGR
+output is emitted.
+
 For non-stdout destinations, use `StyledText::render` with a `RenderTarget` so
 `Auto` mode evaluates the real output target:
 
@@ -238,6 +257,8 @@ your terminal emulator and its configuration:
 - Basic colors (codes 30-37) are widely supported
 - Bright colors (codes 90-97) may appear the same as basic colors in some
   terminals or themes (pastel themes like Catppuccin especially)
+- ANSI 256 colors use 256-color palette indexes with `38;5` and `48;5` SGR
+  sequences
 - RGB colors require true color support in your terminal
 - Some styling options (like italic) might not work in all terminals
 
diff --git a/examples/basic.rs b/examples/basic.rs
index 6590edf..316560e 100644
--- a/examples/basic.rs
+++ b/examples/basic.rs
@@ -33,8 +33,11 @@ fn main() {
     println!("{}", "Inverse text".inverse());
     println!("{}", "Strikethrough text".strikethrough());
 
-    // RGB, HSL, and Hex colors
-    println!("\nRGB, HSL, and Hex colors:");
+    // ANSI 256, RGB, HSL, and Hex colors
+    println!("\nANSI 256, RGB, HSL, and Hex colors:");
+    println!("{}", "ANSI 256 color".ansi256(208));
+    println!("{}", "ANSI 256 background".on_ansi256(236));
+    println!("{}", "ANSI 256 aliases".color256(208).on_color256(236));
     println!("{}", "Custom RGB color".rgb(255, 128, 0));
     println!("{}", "Custom RGB background".on_rgb(0, 128, 255));
 
diff --git a/src/color.rs b/src/color.rs
index 078baf4..3848fcb 100644
--- a/src/color.rs
+++ b/src/color.rs
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ impl NamedColor {
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub(crate) enum ColorSpec {
     Named(NamedColor),
+    Ansi256(u8),
     Rgb(u8, u8, u8),
 }
 
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@ impl ColorSpec {
     pub(crate) fn foreground_code(&self) -> String {
         match self {
             Self::Named(color) => color.foreground_code().to_string(),
+            Self::Ansi256(index) => format!("38;5;{index}"),
             Self::Rgb(r, g, b) => format!("38;2;{};{};{}", r, g, b),
         }
     }
@@ -128,6 +130,7 @@ impl ColorSpec {
     pub(crate) fn background_code(&self) -> String {
         match self {
             Self::Named(color) => color.background_code().to_string(),
+            Self::Ansi256(index) => format!("48;5;{index}"),
             Self::Rgb(r, g, b) => format!("48;2;{};{};{}", r, g, b),
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 0b48012..d3c7a1e 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@
 //! let name = "World";
 //! println!("{}", format!("Hello, {}!", name.blue().bold()));
 //!
-//! // RGB and Hex colors
+//! // ANSI 256, RGB, and Hex colors
+//! println!("{}", "ANSI 256 color".ansi256(208));
+//! println!("{}", "ANSI 256 background".on_ansi256(236));
 //! println!("{}", "RGB color".rgb(255, 128, 0));
 //! println!("{}", "Hex color".hex("#ff8000"));
 //!
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@
 //! - Background colors
 //! - Bright color variants
 //! - Text styles (bold, dim, italic, underline)
+//! - ANSI 256-color foreground and background support
 //! - RGB, HSL, and Hex color support
 //! - Composed style chaining
 //! - Works with format! macro
@@ -48,6 +51,10 @@
 //!
 //! - RGB values must be in range 0-255 (enforced at compile time via `u8` type)
 //! - Attempting to use RGB values > 255 will result in a compile error
+//! - ANSI 256-color indexes must be in range 0-255 (enforced at compile time
+//!   via `u8` type)
+//! - `.color256(index)` and `.on_color256(index)` are aliases for
+//!   `.ansi256(index)` and `.on_ansi256(index)`
 //! - Hex color codes can be provided with or without the `#` prefix in 3-digit
 //!   shorthand or 6-digit full form
 //! - Invalid hex codes (wrong length or invalid characters) return plain
diff --git a/src/style.rs b/src/style.rs
index b5eb2f4..d0bb7d2 100644
--- a/src/style.rs
+++ b/src/style.rs
@@ -255,6 +255,26 @@ impl StyledText {
         self.with_background(ColorSpec::Named(NamedColor::Black))
     }
 
+    /// Apply an ANSI 256-color foreground.
+    pub fn ansi256(self, index: u8) -> Self {
+        self.with_foreground(ColorSpec::Ansi256(index))
+    }
+
+    /// Apply an ANSI 256-color background.
+    pub fn on_ansi256(self, index: u8) -> Self {
+        self.with_background(ColorSpec::Ansi256(index))
+    }
+
+    /// Alias for [`Self::ansi256`].
+    pub fn color256(self, index: u8) -> Self {
+        self.ansi256(index)
+    }
+
+    /// Alias for [`Self::on_ansi256`].
+    pub fn on_color256(self, index: u8) -> Self {
+        self.on_ansi256(index)
+    }
+
     /// Apply a true-color RGB foreground.
     pub fn rgb(self, r: u8, g: u8, b: u8) -> Self {
         self.with_foreground(ColorSpec::Rgb(r, g, b))
@@ -407,6 +427,15 @@ pub trait Colorize {
     /// Apply the standard black background color.
     fn on_black(&self) -> StyledText;
 
+    /// Apply an ANSI 256-color foreground.
+    fn ansi256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText;
+    /// Apply an ANSI 256-color background.
+    fn on_ansi256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText;
+    /// Alias for [`Colorize::ansi256`].
+    fn color256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText;
+    /// Alias for [`Colorize::on_ansi256`].
+    fn on_color256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText;
+
     /// Apply a true-color RGB foreground.
     fn rgb(&self, r: u8, g: u8, b: u8) -> StyledText;
     /// Apply a true-color RGB background.
@@ -544,6 +573,22 @@ impl<T: Display> Colorize for T {
         StyledText::plain(self.to_string()).on_black()
     }
 
+    fn ansi256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText {
+        StyledText::plain(self.to_string()).ansi256(index)
+    }
+
+    fn on_ansi256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText {
+        StyledText::plain(self.to_string()).on_ansi256(index)
+    }
+
+    fn color256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText {
+        self.ansi256(index)
+    }
+
+    fn on_color256(&self, index: u8) -> StyledText {
+        self.on_ansi256(index)
+    }
+
     fn rgb(&self, r: u8, g: u8, b: u8) -> StyledText {
         StyledText::plain(self.to_string()).rgb(r, g, b)
     }
diff --git a/src/tests.rs b/src/tests.rs
index 0c9140c..9af4731 100644
--- a/src/tests.rs
+++ b/src/tests.rs
@@ -192,6 +192,35 @@ fn test_rgb_colors(#[case] r: u8, #[case] g: u8, #[case] b: u8) {
     );
 }
 
+#[rstest]
+#[case(0, "\x1b[38;5;0mtest\x1b[0m")]
+#[case(255, "\x1b[38;5;255mtest\x1b[0m")]
+fn test_ansi256_foreground_colors(#[case] index: u8, #[case] expected: &str) {
+    let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);
+    assert_eq!("test".ansi256(index).to_string(), expected);
+}
+
+#[rstest]
+#[case(0, "\x1b[48;5;0mtest\x1b[0m")]
+#[case(255, "\x1b[48;5;255mtest\x1b[0m")]
+fn test_ansi256_background_colors(#[case] index: u8, #[case] expected: &str) {
+    let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);
+    assert_eq!("test".on_ansi256(index).to_string(), expected);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_color256_aliases_match_ansi256_methods() {
+    let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);
+    assert_eq!(
+        "test".color256(208).to_string(),
+        "test".ansi256(208).to_string()
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        "test".on_color256(236).to_string(),
+        "test".on_ansi256(236).to_string()
+    );
+}
+
 #[rstest]
 #[case("#ff8000", 255, 128, 0)]
 #[case("#f80", 255, 136, 0)]
@@ -246,6 +275,7 @@ fn test_clear_returns_plain_text() {
     let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);
     assert_eq!("test".clear().to_string(), "test");
     assert_eq!("test".red().clear().to_string(), "test");
+    assert_eq!("test".ansi256(208).clear().to_string(), "test");
     assert_eq!(
         "test".blue().italic().on_yellow().clear().to_string(),
         "test"
@@ -264,6 +294,10 @@ fn test_chaining_composes_once() {
         "test".rgb(255, 128, 0).on_blue().to_string(),
         "\x1b[38;2;255;128;0;44mtest\x1b[0m"
     );
+    assert_eq!(
+        "test".ansi256(208).bold().on_ansi256(236).to_string(),
+        "\x1b[1;38;5;208;48;5;236mtest\x1b[0m"
+    );
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -271,6 +305,15 @@ fn test_conflicting_chains_use_last_color() {
     let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);
     assert_eq!("test".red().green().to_string(), "\x1b[32mtest\x1b[0m");
     assert_eq!("test".on_red().on_blue().to_string(), "\x1b[44mtest\x1b[0m");
+    assert_eq!(
+        "test".red().ansi256(208).to_string(),
+        "\x1b[38;5;208mtest\x1b[0m"
+    );
+    assert_eq!("test".ansi256(208).red().to_string(), "\x1b[31mtest\x1b[0m");
+    assert_eq!(
+        "test".on_blue().on_ansi256(236).to_string(),
+        "\x1b[48;5;236mtest\x1b[0m"
+    );
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -493,6 +536,7 @@ fn test_color_mode_never_disables_color() {
     let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Never);
     assert_eq!("test".red().to_string(), "test");
     assert_eq!("test".blue().italic().on_yellow().to_string(), "test");
+    assert_eq!("test".ansi256(208).to_string(), "test");
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -500,6 +544,7 @@ fn test_no_color_disables_output_in_auto_and_always() {
     let _guard = TestStateGuard::no_color(ColorMode::Always);
     assert_eq!("test".red().to_string(), "test");
     assert_eq!("test".blue().italic().on_yellow().to_string(), "test");
+    assert_eq!("test".ansi256(208).to_string(), "test");
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -535,6 +580,12 @@ fn test_bright_background_color_codes(#[case] color: NamedColor, #[case] expecte
     assert_eq!(ColorSpec::Named(color).background_code(), expected);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn test_ansi256_color_codes() {
+    assert_eq!(ColorSpec::Ansi256(208).foreground_code(), "38;5;208");
+    assert_eq!(ColorSpec::Ansi256(236).background_code(), "48;5;236");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn test_from_styled_text_to_string() {
     let _guard = TestStateGuard::colors_enabled(ColorMode::Always);