Rust
Also known as: Donkey Kong , Burnt Sienna , Muddy , Rusted Lock
Part of the brown family, Rust pairs a rich base with a earthy and grounded presence. It belongs in autumn design and coffee and food branding. A cyan counterpart from the complementary harmony gives it the most tension. It's dark enough to use for text on white backgrounds (6.33:1, passes WCAG AA).
Reference
Rust color codes
- HEX
- #A83C09
- RGB
- rgb(168, 60, 9)
- RGBA
- rgba(168, 60, 9, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(19, 90%, 35%)
- HSV
- hsv(19, 95%, 66%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 64%, 95%, 34%)
- LAB
- lab(41.2 43.8 50.0)
- OKLCH
- oklch(50.3% 0.152 40.3)
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: sienna #A0522D · ΔE 6.2
- RAL 2013: Pearl orange #954527 · ΔE 5.7 · 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 Rust 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 Rust
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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 Rust 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 6.33:1
AA pass AAA fail AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 3.32:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large pass
Best text color on a Rust background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Rust
Rust with its complement
Soft neighbors of Rust
Rust triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Donkey Kong #AB4210 · ΔE 1.6
- Muddy #A13905 · ΔE 1.6
- Pepperoni #AA4400 · ΔE 3.4
- Hot Brown #984218 · ΔE 3.6
- Chocoholic #993300 · ΔE 3.7
- Rusty Red #AF2F0D · ΔE 4.1
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Rust is closest to Waterworld .
FAQ
Rust FAQs
What color is Rust?
Rust is a dark brown with the hex code #A83C09. In HSL terms it has a hue of 19°, 90% saturation, and 35% lightness.
What is the hex code for Rust?
The hex code for Rust is #A83C09. In RGB it's rgb(168, 60, 9), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 64%, 95%, 34%).
What colors go well with Rust?
Rust pairs naturally with cyan tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
Planning around this color? See everything that goes with Rust : 10 computed pairings with palettes.
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