Merlot
Also known as: Her Fierceness, Wine, Dawn of the Fairies, Renanthera Orchid
With its warm undertone, Merlot (#730039) comes across as soft and romantic. Designers reach for it in beauty and fashion and romantic branding. Its complement lands in cyan territory, which makes for striking two-color pairings. Accessibility-wise, it clears AA for text on white at 11.74:1.
Merlot color codes
- HEX
- #730039
- RGB
- rgb(115, 0, 57)
- RGBA
- rgba(115, 0, 57, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(330, 100%, 23%)
- HSV
- hsv(330, 100%, 45%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 100%, 50%, 55%)
- LAB
- lab(23.9 46.7 1.3)
- OKLCH
- oklch(36.0% 0.146 0.6)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
warm
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: purple#800080 · ΔE 16.0
- RAL 4004 — Claret violet#691639 · ΔE 2.9 · 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 Merlot 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 — 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 — dividers, chart series, illustration accents — and let neutrals carry the type.
- Branding: Signals imagination and indulgence — strong for beauty and creative-market brands.
Copy as — every ecosystem
Tints, shades, and tones of Merlot
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Merlot 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 11.74:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 1.79:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Best text color on a Merlot background: #ffffff
Palettes featuring Merlot
Merlot with its complement
Soft neighbors of Merlot
Merlot triad
Similar colors
- Beet Red#7E203F · ΔE 5.0
- Bordeaux#7B002C · ΔE 6.1
- Mulberry#920A4E · ΔE 6.5
- Velvet#750851 · ΔE 6.7
- Siren#69293B · ΔE 6.7
- Macabre#880033 · ΔE 6.8
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Merlot is closest to Cape Verde.
Merlot FAQs
What color is Merlot?
Merlot is a dark pink with the hex code #730039. In HSL terms it has a hue of 330°, 100% saturation, and 23% lightness.
What is the hex code for Merlot?
The hex code for Merlot is #730039. In RGB it's rgb(115, 0, 57), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 100%, 50%, 55%).
What colors go well with Merlot?
Merlot 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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