Red
True Red
True Red
#D9001BClick to copy
True Red Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#D9001BCopy
RGBrgb(217, 0, 27)Copy
HSLhsl(353, 100%, 43%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(353, 100%, 85%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 88%, 15%)Copy
True Red Color Schemes
Complementary
#D9001B
Click to copy#00D9BE
Click to copyAnalogous
#D90088
Click to copy#D95100
Click to copySplit Complementary
#00D951
Click to copy#0088D9
Click to copyMonochromatic
#D9001B
Click to copy#F14E63
Click to copy#F8ADB6
Click to copy#73000E
Click to copy#0D0002
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyTrue Red 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
5.29 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
3.97 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
4.86 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
2.39 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
True Red 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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True Red Color Introduction
Definition
True Red (HEX #D9001B) has the RGB value rgb(217, 0, 27), the HSL value hsl(353°, 100%, 43%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 100%, 88%, 15%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of True Red is #00D9BE, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #D90087 and #D95100 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#00D951, #0088D9) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on True Red uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, True Red has a contrast ratio of 5.29:1 against white and 3.97:1 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, True Red has a lightness of 43% and a saturation of 100%, striking and generous as a background or primary color, offering good readability with either light or dark text; 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: An impartial red.
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 True Red 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, True Red 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.
True Red 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.