Dark Red
Powerful dark red with warm undertones
Dark Red is an intense, saturated tone with strong warm undertones that communicate power and seriousness. Because it is quite dark, use it sparingly as an accent rather than a full background to avoid a muddy effect. It pairs well with cream or light metallics for a sophisticated look. The hex code for Dark Red is #8b0000.
About Dark Red
Wine spilled on a dark wooden table
What does dark red mean?
Dark red often signals danger, power, and desire, and it commonly appears in warnings, rich fabrics, and traditional holiday decor. Its very low lightness keeps the warmth muted and heavy, so it lands closer to velvet and shadow than to bright alarm.
Where you see dark red
- pomegranate seeds
- dried kidney beans
- oxblood leather shoes
- brick chimneys
- cherry cordial
- rust stains on old iron
What it works for
Use it for accents that carry weight without shouting, like borders, headings, or single buttons against light or dark neutrals.
What colors go with dark red?
Old Gold #cfb53bThe muted yellow warms the dark base without brightening it, giving a tarnished, classic feel.Sage Green #9caf88The soft gray green cools the deep red and keeps both colors from feeling heavy.Cream #fffdd0The pale neutral gives the dark red room to read as rich instead of muddy.Charcoal #36454fTwo dark neighbors sit together calmly, with the red carrying all the warmth in the pairing.
Questions about Dark Red
What is the hex code for Dark Red?
Dark Red is #8b0000. In RGB that is rgb(139, 0, 0), in HSL hsl(0, 100%, 27%) and in CMYK 0%, 100%, 100%, 45%.
How should I use #8b0000 in a design project?
#8b0000 is an intense, saturated dark red that can easily overwhelm a layout, so it works best as a strategic accent rather than a background color. Pair it with lighter neutrals like cream or off-white to maintain a sophisticated, readable balance.
Does #8b0000 have warm or cool undertones?
The #8b0000 hex color carries distinctively warm, earthy undertones that give it a grounded, serious feel compared to brighter, cooler reds. Because it leans dark, it lacks the energy of primary red and instead projects a more formal, somber intensity.
Is Dark Red readable on white or black?
Dark Red has a 10.01:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.09:1 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 is too faint for text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.