Red
Crimson
Crimson
#DC143CClick to copy
Crimson Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#DC143CCopy
RGBrgb(220, 20, 60)Copy
HSLhsl(348, 83%, 47%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(348, 91%, 86%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 91%, 73%, 14%)Copy
Crimson Color Schemes
Complementary
#DC143C
Click to copy#14DCB4
Click to copyAnalogous
#DC14A0
Click to copy#DC5014
Click to copySplit Complementary
#14DC50
Click to copy#14A0DC
Click to copyMonochromatic
#DC143C
Click to copy#E47289
Click to copy#F5C7D0
Click to copy#7F0B23
Click to copy#210309
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyCrimson 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
4.99 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
4.21 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
4.58 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
2.53 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Crimson 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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Crimson Color Introduction
Definition
Crimson (HEX #DC143C) has the RGB value rgb(220, 20, 60), the HSL value hsl(348°, 83%, 47%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 91%, 73%, 14%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Crimson is #14DCB4, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #DC14A0 and #DC5014 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#14DC50, #14A0DC) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Crimson uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Crimson has a contrast ratio of 4.99:1 against white and 4.21:1 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, Crimson has a lightness of 47% and a saturation of 83%, 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: Academia and hot blood.
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 Crimson 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, Crimson 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.
Crimson 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.
