Madras
Also known as: Lisbon Brown , Onion , Scorched Metal , Woodrush
Expect cozy and dependable associations from Madras, a rich brown suited to rustic interiors and leather goods. Its complement lands in blue territory, which makes for striking two-color pairings. It's dark enough to use for text on white backgrounds (10.60:1, passes WCAG AA).
Reference
Madras color codes
- HEX
- #473E23
- RGB
- rgb(71, 62, 35)
- RGBA
- rgba(71, 62, 35, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(45, 34%, 21%)
- HSV
- hsv(45, 51%, 28%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 13%, 51%, 72%)
- LAB
- lab(26.6 0.8 18.0)
- OKLCH
- oklch(36.6% 0.044 91.6)
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 yellow 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: darkolivegreen #556B2F · ΔE 18.7
- RAL 6014: Yellow olive #444337 · ΔE 7.3 · 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 Madras works
- Web & UI: Use it directly for text on light surfaces; it clears AA contrast without adjustment.
- Interiors: Use it where you want the eye to land: a front door, built-ins, or one bold wall.
- Fashion: Works as a base layer or outerwear tone that lets brighter pieces do the talking.
- Branding: As a brand anchor it reads established and tactile; pair with a single vivid accent for energy.
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Fashion: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Madras
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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 Madras 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 10.60:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 1.98:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Madras background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Madras
Madras with its complement
Soft neighbors of Madras
Madras triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Olive Leaf #4E4B35 · ΔE 5.6
- Graphite #383428 · ΔE 7.0
- Creole #393227 · ΔE 7.6
- Olive Bark #5F5537 · ΔE 7.8
- Pineapple #563C0D · ΔE 8.6
- Batch Brew #45392F · ΔE 8.6
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Madras is closest to Genie .
FAQ
Madras FAQs
What color is Madras?
Madras is a dark brown with the hex code #473E23. In HSL terms it has a hue of 45°, 34% saturation, and 21% lightness.
What is the hex code for Madras?
The hex code for Madras is #473E23. In RGB it's rgb(71, 62, 35), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 13%, 51%, 72%).
What colors go well with Madras?
Madras pairs naturally with blue tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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