Red
Merlot
Merlot
#730039Click to copy
Merlot Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#730039Copy
RGBrgb(115, 0, 57)Copy
HSLhsl(330, 100%, 23%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(330, 100%, 45%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 50%, 55%)Copy
Merlot Color Schemes
Complementary
#730039
Click to copy#00733A
Click to copyAnalogous
#730073
Click to copy#730000
Click to copySplit Complementary
#007300
Click to copy#007373
Click to copyMonochromatic
#730039
Click to copy#C9106C
Click to copy#F14E9F
Click to copy#0D0006
Click to copy#000000
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyMerlot WCAG Accessibility Contrast
WCAG Calculator →The contrast ratio of this color against common foreground/background colors (based on the WCAG 2.1 standard)
Sample text Aa
White background #FFFFFF
11.74 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
1.79 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
10.77 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
1.08 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Merlot Shade Variants
Gradient Generator →Lighten with White Mixed with white for a lighter, softer color
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Darken with Black Mixed with black for a deeper, heavier color
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Muted / Morandi Mixed with gray and desaturated for a sophisticated muted tone
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Merlot Color Introduction
Definition
Merlot (HEX #730039) has the RGB value rgb(115, 0, 57), the HSL value hsl(330°, 100%, 23%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 100%, 50%, 55%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Merlot is #00733A, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #730072 and #730000 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#007300, #007273) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Merlot uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Merlot has a contrast ratio of 11.74:1 against white and 1.79:1 against black; paired with a white background it reaches AAA, making body text highly readable.
Color Characteristics
Purple sits between warm and cool, evoking lavender, amethyst and twilight. Mysterious and luxurious, it has long been associated with royalty and artistic creation. Specifically, Merlot has a lightness of 23% and a saturation of 100%, steady and powerful as a background or primary color, pairing well with light text for good readability; moreover, its saturation is extremely high and its visual tension is strong, so it works best used sparingly as a focal accent. In a word: A smooth vintage wine.
Color Psychology
Purple can evoke romance, imagination and nobility, with a marked air of mystery; psychologically it symbolizes elegance, spirituality and creativity. For this reason Merlot tends to leave a first impression of being mysterious and elegant in the viewer’s mind, and this emotional tone also defines the role it plays in design.
Best Uses
Purple suits beauty and skincare, art exhibitions, mysterious themes and any scene that needs a sophisticated, romantic feel. In real projects, Merlot is also often used as a dark background or heading text color; in “Purple”-themed designs, the adjacent colors or lightness gradients built around it quickly establish a cohesive, clearly layered color scheme.
Merlot Featured In
This color is included in the following color cards and color families. Click a card to browse more colors in the corresponding collection.