#8E2A38 Hex Color
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#8e2a38 is a desaturated, muted maroon with a heavy, serious character. It lacks the brightness of primary reds, favoring a moody, darkened intensity that works well for branding or formal UI elements. Because it offers strong contrast against white text, it functions effectively as a base for bold, readable typography. Use this shade sparingly, as it can feel overwhelming if applied to overly large backgrounds.
Questions about #8e2a38
What is #8e2a38 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #8e2a38 is rgb(142, 42, 56), in HSL hsl(352, 54%, 36%) and in CMYK 0%, 70%, 61%, 44%.
Does #8e2a38 work well with other colors?
#8e2a38 pairs beautifully with neutral tones like soft cream or warm beige to balance its intensity, while deep charcoal provides a sophisticated contrast for text. It creates a refined palette when accented with muted earth tones rather than competing bright primaries.
Is #8e2a38 suitable for large areas or backgrounds?
Using #8e2a38 for large backgrounds can feel heavy or overwhelming due to its serious, darkened intensity. It functions much more effectively when used sparingly for call-to-action buttons, headers, or borders where its strength can anchor the design without dominating the entire space.
Is #8e2a38 readable on white or black?
#8e2a38 has a 8.27:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.53:1 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.