Red
Cardinal
Cardinal
#C41E3AClick to copy
Cardinal Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#C41E3ACopy
RGBrgb(196, 30, 58)Copy
HSLhsl(350, 73%, 44%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(350, 85%, 77%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 85%, 70%, 23%)Copy
Cardinal Color Schemes
Complementary
#C41E3A
Click to copy#1EC4A8
Click to copyAnalogous
#C41E8D
Click to copy#C4551E
Click to copySplit Complementary
#1EC455
Click to copy#1E8DC4
Click to copyMonochromatic
#C41E3A
Click to copy#D96F81
Click to copy#EEC0C8
Click to copy#6C1020
Click to copy#130306
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyCardinal 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
5.84 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
3.59 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
5.36 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
2.16 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Cardinal 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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Cardinal Color Introduction
Definition
Cardinal (HEX #C41E3A) has the RGB value rgb(196, 30, 58), the HSL value hsl(350°, 73%, 44%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 85%, 70%, 23%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Cardinal is #1EC4A8, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #C41E8D and #C4551E that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#1EC455, #1E8DC4) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Cardinal uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Cardinal has a contrast ratio of 5.84:1 against white and 3.59:1 against black; paired with a white background it reaches AA, giving body text good readability.
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, Cardinal has a lightness of 44% and a saturation of 73%, striking and generous as a background or primary color, offering good readability with either light or dark text; moreover, its saturation is moderate, keeping the color’s emotional expression without becoming overly assertive. In a word: The color of faith.
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 Cardinal 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, Cardinal 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.
Cardinal 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.
