Dark Red

HEX: #8B0000 | Modern Palette

On White
10.01:1
PASS
On Black
2.10:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#8B0000
RGB
139, 0, 0
HSL
0°, 100% ,54%
CMYK
0, 100, 100, 45.49

About Dark Red

Dark Red (#8B0000) is a color with RGB(139, 0, 0) and HSL(0°, 100%, 54.51%). It is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is Dark Cyan (#008B8B), which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #008B00 and Dark Blue (#00008B). The name comes from Dark Red (English).

  • HEX: #8B0000
  • RGB: 139, 0, 0
  • HSL: 0°, 100%, 54.51%
  • Mood: Energetic, Bold
  • Style: Vivid, Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: Dark Cyan (#008B8B)
  • Triadic colors: #008B00, Dark Blue (#00008B)
  • The name comes from Dark Red (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

Color Harmonies

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

Shades & Tints

A seamless scale of #8B0000 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Energetic Bold
Style
Vivid Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #4D4D00
Protanopia #2F2F04
Tritanopia #8B0000
Achromatopsia #424242

Frequently Asked Questions

Dark Red (#8B0000) is a color with RGB(139, 0, 0) and HSL(0°, 100%, 54.51%).

#8B0000 pairs strongly with Dark Cyan (#008B8B) as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#8B0000 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Vivid, Warm styles.

#8B0000 is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold.

The name Dark Red is linked to Dark Red from English, meaning A deep shade of red, often associated with blood, wine, or rich fabrics..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Dark Red
Meaning A deep shade of red, often associated with blood, wine, or rich fabrics.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late Middle English / Early Modern English (as 'dark' and 'red' combined)

History

The color red itself is one of the first colors named in most languages, often due to its prominence in nature (blood, fire, fruits). As human understanding and manipulation of color advanced, more specific descriptors like 'dark red' emerged to differentiate it from brighter or lighter reds. Historically, dark red pigments were derived from sources like madder root, cochineal insects, and various iron oxides. It has been a significant color in art, heraldry, and textiles for centuries, often symbolizing power, passion, and sacrifice.

First Recorded Use

While 'red' has ancient origins, the specific compound 'dark red' as a common descriptor likely solidified as color vocabulary became more nuanced, particularly with the advent of more precise dyes and pigments. The individual words 'dark' and 'red' have been in use for over a millennium in English.

Cultural Associations

In many Western cultures, dark red is associated with love, passion, anger, and danger. It is often used in formal wear, luxury items, and interior design to convey richness and sophistication. In some contexts, particularly historical or religious, it can symbolize sacrifice or martyrdom. Burgundy and maroon are specific shades of dark red that have their own cultural associations, often with wine and elegance respectively.

Similar Named Colors
Deep Red #850101 ΔE 1.25
Deep Maroon #820000 ΔE 1.83
Sangria #92000A ΔE 2.10
Maroon #800000 ΔE 2.25

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #8B0000;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #8B0000;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #8B0000;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #8B0000,
        #17FFFF
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #8B0000,
        #17FFFF
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$dark-red: #8B0000;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$dark-red-r: 139;
$dark-red-g: 0;
$dark-red-b: 0;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $dark-red;
    color: rgba($dark-red-r, $dark-red-g, $dark-red-b, 0.8);
}