Red
Carmine
Carmine
#960018Click to copy
Carmine Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#960018Copy
RGBrgb(150, 0, 24)Copy
HSLhsl(350, 100%, 29%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(350, 100%, 59%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 84%, 41%)Copy
Carmine Color Schemes
Complementary
#960018
Click to copy#00967E
Click to copyAnalogous
#960063
Click to copy#963300
Click to copySplit Complementary
#009633
Click to copy#006396
Click to copyMonochromatic
#960018
Click to copy#E91335
Click to copy#F36F84
Click to copy#300008
Click to copy#000000
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyCarmine 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
9.09 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
2.31 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
8.34 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
1.39 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Carmine 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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Carmine Color Introduction
Definition
Carmine (HEX #960018) has the RGB value rgb(150, 0, 24), the HSL value hsl(350°, 100%, 29%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 100%, 84%, 41%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Carmine is #00967E, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #960063 and #963300 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#009633, #006396) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Carmine uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Carmine has a contrast ratio of 9.09:1 against white and 2.31:1 against black; paired with a white background it reaches AAA, making body text highly readable.
Color Characteristics
Red is the most impactful color, evoking fire, blood and the sun. It grabs attention instantly and is almost the default choice in promotions, dining and sports. Specifically, Carmine has a lightness of 29% 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: Nature’s gift.
Color Psychology
Red can evoke passion, courage and urgency, with a marked arousing and motivating effect; psychologically it symbolizes enthusiasm, energy and drive. For this reason Carmine tends to leave a first impression of being passionate and direct in the viewer’s mind, and this emotional tone also defines the role it plays in design.
Best Uses
Red suits big promotions, restaurant menus, sports posters and any visual design that needs emotional intensity. In real projects, Carmine is also often used as a dark background or heading text color; in “Red”-themed designs, the adjacent colors or lightness gradients built around it quickly establish a cohesive, clearly layered color scheme.
Carmine 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.