Firebrick
A robust and intense earthy red
Firebrick is a saturated, warm red that carries heavy intensity. Because it is quite dark, use it sparingly as an accent color for calls to action rather than a dominant background. It pairs exceptionally well with crisp white text, which remains highly readable against this shade. The hex code for this powerful, earthy red is #b22222.
About Firebrick
Banked coals in an iron stove at midnight
What does firebrick mean?
Red commonly signals passion, danger, and appetite, and this darker shade reads as steady heat rather than alarm. Its low lightness and strong saturation give it mellow weight, a smolder that holds its heat instead of flashing.
Where you see firebrick
- painted barns
- brick chimneys
- leather armchairs
- winter scarves
- cast iron stoves
- tomato paste
What it works for
It works as an accent or base where a bold red should feel grounded, from kitchens to autumn palettes.
What colors go with firebrick?
Cream #fffdd0Cream softens the red's heat and lets it read as warm rather than loud.Sage Green #9caf88Sage green cools the red's warmth, a kitchen pairing that feels settled and grown.Mustard #ffdb58Mustard sits on the same warm side, giving a rich, harvest-table glow.Charcoal #36454fCharcoal darkens the mood and makes the red burn brighter by contrast.Teal #008080Teal sits across the wheel, and the pairing crackles without either color winning.
Questions about Firebrick
What is the hex code for Firebrick?
Firebrick is #b22222. In RGB that is rgb(178, 34, 34), in HSL hsl(0, 68%, 42%) and in CMYK 0%, 81%, 81%, 30%.
Where is the best place to use Firebrick #b22222?
Firebrick #b22222 works best as a strong accent color rather than a primary background because of its visual weight. It performs well for call-to-action buttons or alert text where you need to guide the user's attention quickly.
Is Firebrick readable on white or black?
Firebrick has a 6.67:1 contrast ratio on white and 3.14:1 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.