Pale Carmine

HEX: #AF4035 | Modern Palette

On White
5.82:1
PASS
On Black
3.61:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#AF4035
RGB
175, 64, 53
HSL
5°, 53% ,44%
CMYK
0, 63, 70, 31

About Pale Carmine

Pale Carmine (#AF4035) is a color with RGB(175, 64, 53) and HSL(5.4°, 53.5%, 44.7%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Logo. Its complementary color is #35A4AF, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #35AF40 and #4035AF. The name comes from Pale Carmine (English).

  • HEX: #AF4035
  • RGB: 175, 64, 53
  • HSL: 5.4°, 53.5%, 44.7%
  • Mood: Romantic
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Logo
  • Complementary color: #35A4AF
  • Triadic colors: #35AF40, #4035AF
  • The name comes from Pale Carmine (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Pale Carmine #AF4035 is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

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

Color Harmonies

Pale Carmine #AF4035 pairs with #35A4AF as its complementary color, and #35AF40 and #4035AF in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

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

PALE CARMINE
Analogous

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

PALE CARMINE
Triadic

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

PALE CARMINE
Split-Complementary

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

PALE CARMINE
Tetradic (Square)

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

PALE CARMINE
Monochromatic

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

PALE CARMINE

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Pale Carmine #AF4035 moves from dark #140706 tones through the base color to lighter #F9EDEB tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

PALE CARMINE

Color Characteristics

Mood
Romantic
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Logo

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #70702E
Protanopia #565636
Tritanopia #AF3F3F
Achromatopsia #656565

Frequently Asked Questions

Pale Carmine (#AF4035) is a color with RGB(175, 64, 53) and HSL(5.4°, 53.5%, 44.7%).

#AF4035 pairs strongly with #35A4AF as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#AF4035 is suitable for Text, Button, Logo and works well with Warm styles.

#AF4035 is commonly associated with Romantic.

The name Pale Carmine is linked to Pale Carmine from English, meaning A lightened shade of carmine, a vivid crimson color..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Pale Carmine
Meaning A lightened shade of carmine, a vivid crimson color.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th - Early 20th Century (as a specific named shade)

History

Carmine itself has a rich history, derived from cochineal insects, used for dyes since antiquity by indigenous peoples in Mexico and South America. It was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and became a highly prized pigment. The addition of 'Pale' indicates a modification of the original, often achieved by mixing with white or a lighter base. This practice became common as color palettes expanded and more nuanced shades were desired in art, fashion, and interior design.

First Recorded Use

While 'carmine' has a much longer history, the specific compound 'Pale Carmine' as a distinct color name likely emerged with the proliferation of standardized color charts and commercial paint/dye production. Exact first use is difficult to pinpoint without specific historical color guides, but it fits the naming conventions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cultural Associations

Carmine colors are often associated with passion, luxury, and royalty due to their historical expense and intensity. 'Pale Carmine' retains some of these associations but with a softer, more delicate feel. It might evoke feelings of gentle warmth, vintage charm, or subtle elegance. In fashion, it could be seen as a less aggressive alternative to true red, suitable for more sophisticated or understated looks. In art, it offers a nuanced red for highlights or softer transitions.

Similar Named Colors
International Orange (Golden Gate Bridge) #C0362C ΔE 3.57
Firebrick #B22222 ΔE 4.87
Deep Chestnut #B94E48 ΔE 4.94
Brown #A52A2A ΔE 5.12

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #AF4035;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #AF4035;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #AF4035;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #AF4035,
        #35A4AF
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #AF4035,
        #35A4AF
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$pale-carmine: #AF4035;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$pale-carmine-r: 175;
$pale-carmine-g: 64;
$pale-carmine-b: 53;

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