#8A5856 Hex Color
Online color picker to view shades, tints, color codes, and complementary colors

#8a5856 is a dark, dusty red with warm brown undertones and very low saturation. Its matte, ashy quality brings subtle energy to branding, food packaging, romance, and supporting UI elements. Use it as a secondary tone with cream or deep navy rather than a full-page background. The hex code #8a5856 supports white text at about 5.8:1 contrast.
Questions about #8a5856
What is #8a5856 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #8a5856 is rgb(138, 88, 86), in HSL hsl(2, 23%, 44%) and in CMYK 0%, 36%, 38%, 46%. Browse more shades of brown with names and hex codes.
Which colors pair well with #8a5856?
The best pairings for #8a5856 are warm off-white and navy, which balance its dusty warmth and give the palette visual contrast without making the result feel overly bright or sweet.
Does #8a5856 look warm or cool?
#8a5856 reads as a warm, muted red because its brown undertones soften the red and shift it toward an earthy, ashy appearance. That warmth works best when you want a grounded, understated mood rather than vivid energy.
Is #8a5856 readable on white or black?
#8a5856 has a 5.81:1 contrast ratio on white and 3.61:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works for body text and on black it works only for large text (24px, or 18.5px bold). Try other pairs in the contrast checker.