Merguez
Also known as: Spring Lobster , Baal Red Wash , Plum Cheese , Dark Humour
Expect confident and commanding associations from Merguez, a rich red suited to call-to-action buttons and food branding. Reach for a cyan companion shade to give Merguez maximum contrast. On white it reads clearly at 13.33:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Merguez color codes
- HEX
- #650021
- RGB
- rgb(101, 0, 33)
- RGBA
- rgba(101, 0, 33, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(340, 100%, 20%)
- HSV
- hsv(340, 100%, 40%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 100%, 67%, 60%)
- LAB
- lab(20.0 41.8 12.3)
- OKLCH
- oklch(32.3% 0.129 12.3)
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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warm
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: maroon #800000 · ΔE 14.2
- RAL 3004: Purple red #701F29 · ΔE 5.3 · 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 Merguez 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: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.
- Branding: Commands attention in logos and packaging; balance it with generous neutral space.
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette: packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Merguez
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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 Merguez 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 13.33:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 1.58:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Merguez background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Merguez
Merguez with its complement
Soft neighbors of Merguez
Merguez triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Bordeaux #7B002C · ΔE 4.4
- Oxblood #800020 · ΔE 6.9
- Macabre #880033 · ΔE 7.0
- Merlot #730039 · ΔE 7.1
- Siren #69293B · ΔE 7.8
- Beet Red #7E203F · ΔE 7.9
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Merguez is closest to Rich Black .
FAQ
Merguez FAQs
What color is Merguez?
Merguez is a dark red with the hex code #650021. In HSL terms it has a hue of 340°, 100% saturation, and 20% lightness.
What is the hex code for Merguez?
The hex code for Merguez is #650021. In RGB it's rgb(101, 0, 33), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 100%, 67%, 60%).
What colors go well with Merguez?
Merguez pairs naturally with cyan tones from its complementary harmony, and with green accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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