Marsala
Sophisticated earth tones in dusty red
Marsala is a dusty, unsaturated red with strong earthy undertones. Because it feels grounded rather than aggressive, #96534c works best as a supporting accent in branding or editorial layouts instead of a dominant background. Pair it with soft cream or warm gray to maintain legibility. White text offers excellent contrast over this shade, making it a reliable choice for accessible, readable typography.
About Marsala
Dried clay under a low, dusty sun
What does marsala mean?
This muted red often brings to mind dried clay, brick dust, aged leather, and red wine left open overnight. Its dark value and low saturation give it a matte, heavy stillness, warmer and mellower than a bright red.
Where you see marsala
- terracotta pots
- dried roses
- red wine
- adobe walls
- rusted iron
- smoked paprika
What it works for
It works for interiors, packaging, and textiles that need warmth without shine, gloss, or loudness.
What colors go with marsala?
Sage #9caf88Sage's gray-green coolness balances the warm, dusty red without competing for attention.Cream #fffdd0Cream lightens the dim red and keeps large surfaces from feeling gloomy.Charcoal #36454fCharcoal deepens the shadowy side of this red and sharpens its warmth.Mustard #ffdb58Mustard echoes the earthy warmth and adds a dry, sunlit counterpoint.Taupe #483c32Taupe shares the same low saturation, so the pairing stays mellow and matte.
Questions about Marsala
What is the hex code for Marsala?
Marsala is #96534c. In RGB that is rgb(150, 83, 76), in HSL hsl(6, 33%, 44%) and in CMYK 0%, 45%, 49%, 41%.
Is Marsala readable on white or black?
Marsala has a 5.77:1 contrast ratio on white and 3.63:1 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.