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.
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)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
neutral, leaning warm
subtle red undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
- 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, empty-state illustrations — 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
Tints, shades, and tones of Cortex
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
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
Contrast & accessibility
Aa — on white
contrast 2.84:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Aa — on black
contrast 7.40:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Best text color on a Cortex background: #000000
Palettes featuring Cortex
Cortex with its complement
Soft neighbors of Cortex
Cortex triad
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.
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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