Traditional
Vermilion
Vermilion
#E50000Click to copy
Vermilion Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#E50000Copy
RGBrgb(229, 0, 0)Copy
HSLhsl(0, 100%, 45%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(0, 100%, 90%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 10%)Copy
Vermilion Color Schemes
Complementary
#E50000
Click to copy#00E5E5
Click to copyAnalogous
#E50073
Click to copy#E57300
Click to copySplit Complementary
#00E573
Click to copy#0073E5
Click to copyMonochromatic
#E50000
Click to copy#F25959
Click to copy#F9B8B8
Click to copy#7F0000
Click to copy#190000
Click to copy#000000
Click to copyVermilion 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
4.85 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
4.33 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
4.45 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
2.61 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Vermilion 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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Vermilion Color Introduction
Definition
Vermilion (HEX #E50000) has the RGB value rgb(229, 0, 0), the HSL value hsl(0°, 100%, 45%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 10%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Vermilion is #00E5E5, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #E50073 and #E57200 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#00E573, #0072E5) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Vermilion uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Vermilion has a contrast ratio of 4.85:1 against white and 4.33:1 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, Vermilion has a lightness of 45% 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: A bright red, often used in traditional lacquerware and festive decorations.
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 Vermilion 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, Vermilion 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.
Vermilion 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.
