Dark Terra Cotta

HEX: #CC4E5C | Modern Palette

On White
4.36:1
FAIL
On Black
4.81:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#CC4E5C
RGB
204, 78, 92
HSL
353°, 55% ,55%
CMYK
0, 62, 55, 20

About Dark Terra Cotta

Dark Terra Cotta (#CC4E5C) is a color with RGB(204, 78, 92) and HSL(353.3°, 55.3%, 55.3%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Logo. Its complementary color is #4ECCBE, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #5CCC4E and #4E5CCC. The name comes from Terra Cotta (Italian (for 'Terra Cotta')).

  • HEX: #CC4E5C
  • RGB: 204, 78, 92
  • HSL: 353.3°, 55.3%, 55.3%
  • Mood: Romantic
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Logo
  • Complementary color: #4ECCBE
  • Triadic colors: #5CCC4E, #4E5CCC
  • The name comes from Terra Cotta (Italian (for 'Terra Cotta')).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Dark Terra Cotta #CC4E5C 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.
 
 
DARK TERRA COTTA
 
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
DARK TERRA COTTA
 
 
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
 
 
DARK TERRA COTTA
 
 
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.
 
 
 
 
 

Color Harmonies

Dark Terra Cotta #CC4E5C pairs with #4ECCBE as its complementary color, and #5CCC4E and #4E5CCC 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.

DARK TERRA COTTA
Analogous

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

DARK TERRA COTTA
Triadic

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

DARK TERRA COTTA
Split-Complementary

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

DARK TERRA COTTA
Tetradic (Square)

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

DARK TERRA COTTA
Monochromatic

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

DARK TERRA COTTA

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Dark Terra Cotta #CC4E5C moves from dark #140607 tones through the base color to lighter #F9EBED tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

DARK TERRA COTTA

Color Characteristics

Mood
Romantic
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Logo

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #848457
Protanopia #66665D
Tritanopia #CB5050
Achromatopsia #797979

Frequently Asked Questions

Dark Terra Cotta (#CC4E5C) is a color with RGB(204, 78, 92) and HSL(353.3°, 55.3%, 55.3%).

#CC4E5C pairs strongly with #4ECCBE as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#CC4E5C is suitable for Text, Button, Logo and works well with Warm styles.

#CC4E5C is commonly associated with Romantic.

The name Dark Terra Cotta is linked to Terra Cotta from Italian (for 'Terra Cotta'), meaning Baked Earth.

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Terra Cotta
Meaning Baked Earth
Language Italian (for 'Terra Cotta')
First Recorded Use Ancient

History

Terra cotta as a material has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, used for pottery, sculptures, and building materials across many cultures (e.g., Chinese Terracotta Army, Greek and Roman pottery, Etruscan temples). The color 'terra cotta' naturally derives from the iron oxides present in the clay, which turn reddish-brown when fired. 'Dark Terra Cotta' refers to a deeper, more saturated or darker shade of this characteristic reddish-brown, often with a hint of orange or pink. Its use in design and fashion reflects a connection to natural, earthy tones and a rustic or artisanal aesthetic.

First Recorded Use

The term 'terra cotta' itself has been used for centuries to describe unglazed, fired clay. The specific color 'Dark Terra Cotta' as a named color is more modern, likely emerging with standardized color naming conventions in the 19th or 20th century.

Cultural Associations

The color evokes warmth, earthiness, and a sense of history and craftsmanship. It is often associated with Mediterranean architecture, Southwestern American design, and traditional pottery. It can convey a feeling of comfort, stability, and natural beauty. In fashion, it's seen as an autumnal or earthy tone, often paired with other natural colors.

Similar Named Colors
Brick Red #CB4154 ΔE 2.71
Popstar #BE4F62 ΔE 3.95
Bittersweet Shimmer #BF4F51 ΔE 3.97
Chestnut #CD5C5C ΔE 4.42

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #CC4E5C;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #CC4E5C;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #CC4E5C;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #CC4E5C,
        #4ECCBE
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #CC4E5C,
        #4ECCBE
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$dark-terra-cotta: #CC4E5C;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$dark-terra-cotta-r: 204;
$dark-terra-cotta-g: 78;
$dark-terra-cotta-b: 92;

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