Smouldering
Also known as: Red Death , Bricky Brick , Bloodshed , Red Rider
Part of the red family, Smouldering pairs a medium base with a bold and energetic presence. It belongs in food branding and sale banners. Match it with cyan accents when the design calls for energy over calm. On white it reads clearly at 6.06:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Smouldering color codes
- HEX
- #B6321E
- RGB
- rgb(182, 50, 30)
- RGBA
- rgba(182, 50, 30, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(8, 72%, 42%)
- HSV
- hsv(8, 84%, 71%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 73%, 84%, 29%)
- LAB
- lab(42.4 52.8 43.9)
- OKLCH
- oklch(51.7% 0.172 31.6)
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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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: firebrick #B22222 · ΔE 4.3
- RAL 2002: Vermilion #C63927 · ΔE 3.9 · 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 Smouldering works
- Web & UI: Dark enough for body text and icons on white backgrounds. It passes WCAG AA as-is.
- 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.
- Branding: High-energy brand material: strong for food, fitness, and youth-facing marks. Use sparingly in UI.
- Web & UI: Best as a button fill, badge, or accent. Pair it with white text only at large sizes, and check contrast.
- Branding: A secondary brand color by nature: it supports a stronger primary and shines in illustration.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Smouldering
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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 Smouldering 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 6.06:1
AA pass AAA fail AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 3.46:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large pass
Best text color on a Smouldering background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Smouldering
Smouldering with its complement
Soft neighbors of Smouldering
Smouldering triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Bloodshed #BA271A · ΔE 1.6
- Lobster #BB240C · ΔE 2.6
- Joyous Red #AE2719 · ΔE 2.7
- Minestrone #C72616 · ΔE 3.1
- Heartwarming #BF1818 · ΔE 3.2
- Rusty Red #AF2F0D · ΔE 3.4
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Smouldering is closest to Bermuda .
FAQ
Smouldering FAQs
What color is Smouldering?
Smouldering is a medium red with the hex code #B6321E. In HSL terms it has a hue of 8°, 72% saturation, and 42% lightness.
What is the hex code for Smouldering?
The hex code for Smouldering is #B6321E. In RGB it's rgb(182, 50, 30), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 73%, 84%, 29%).
What colors go well with Smouldering?
Smouldering pairs naturally with cyan tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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