Cortex
Also known as: Sphinx , Smoky Sunrise , Monkeypod , Tribeca
Quietly bold and energetic, Cortex is a warm-toned red that earns its keep in call-to-action buttons and food branding. A cyan counterpart from the complementary harmony gives it the most tension. Accessibility-wise, it needs a dark backdrop: 7.40:1 on black clears AA.
Reference
Cortex color codes
- HEX
- #A99592
- RGB
- rgb(169, 149, 146)
- RGBA
- rgba(169, 149, 146, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(8, 12%, 62%)
- HSV
- hsv(8, 14%, 66%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 12%, 14%, 34%)
- LAB
- lab(63.4 7.3 4.5)
- OKLCH
- oklch(68.7% 0.024 27.9)
Analysis
Color intelligence
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Gamut
The full range of colors a device or space can show. sRGB is the common screen gamut; Display P3 is wider. A color outside a gamut cannot be shown accurately there and must be mapped inward.Full glossary entry →Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
Undertone
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neutral, leaning warm
subtle red undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →- CSS: rosybrown #BC8F8F · ΔE 8.3
- RAL 7036: Platinum grey #9A9697 · ΔE 7.0 · approximate
RAL values are widely published approximations of the physical standard. For Pantone-adjacent workflows, match by eye against a physical fan deck. Pantone's values are proprietary and device-dependent, so we don't print lookups.
Where Cortex works
- Web & UI: A supporting-cast color for UI: chart fills, tags, and empty-state illustrations, but not text.
- Interiors: Soft and low-saturation: a candidate for full walls, where vivid colors overwhelm.
- Fashion: A wardrobe neutral: it anchors outfits and pairs with nearly any accent color.
- Branding: A secondary brand color by nature: it supports a stronger primary and shines in illustration.
- Interiors: Strong for a whole room, excellent in doses: an accent wall, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
- Fashion: Wears best as the statement piece, a top, scarf, or shoes, against neutral basics.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Cortex
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Harmonies
Color harmonies
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →Palettes built from Cortex by rotating its hue in OKLCH space. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split-complementary
Tetradic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast & accessibility
Aa on white
contrast 2.84:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 7.40:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Cortex background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Cortex
Cortex with its complement
Soft neighbors of Cortex
Cortex triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Nude Lips #B5948D · ΔE 4.6
- Walkway #A3999C · ΔE 4.8
- Earthbound #A48A80 · ΔE 4.9
- Coca Mocha #BD9D95 · ΔE 5.4
- Martini #B7A8A3 · ΔE 6.0
- Nirvana #A2919B · ΔE 6.2
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Cortex is closest to Stormy Bay .
FAQ
Cortex FAQs
What color is Cortex?
Cortex is a medium red with the hex code #A99592. In HSL terms it has a hue of 8°, 12% saturation, and 62% lightness.
What is the hex code for Cortex?
The hex code for Cortex is #A99592. In RGB it's rgb(169, 149, 146), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 12%, 14%, 34%).
What colors go well with Cortex?
Cortex pairs naturally with cyan tones from its complementary harmony, and with gray accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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