Carnelian
An intense, saturated red with weight
Carnelian is a saturated, intense red with heavy, dark undertones that demand attention. It functions best as a high-contrast accent color rather than a large background, where its weight can feel overpowering. When used for UI buttons or calls to action, white text provides excellent readability against the hex code #b31b1b. Pair it with soft, muted grays to ground its aggressive energy.
About Carnelian
Brick kiln glow, hours after the fire
What does carnelian mean?
It often brings to mind ripe pomegranate seeds, wax seals, garnet jewelry, and the deep red of dried cranberries. This red is dark and fully saturated, so it feels heavy and certain rather than bright or playful.
Where you see carnelian
- pomegranate seeds
- red brick
- wax seals
- garnets
- dried cranberries
- barn doors
What it works for
Use it where an accent needs weight: leather trim, enamel signs, velvet upholstery, and bold packaging.
What colors go with carnelian?
Cream #fffdd0The pale warmth keeps the red from turning heavy.Sage Green #9caf88The muted green cools things down and softens the heat.Mustard #ffdb58Two warm colors side by side, and the yellow pulls the red forward.Navy #000080Cool against warm, both dark, both serious.Dusty Pink #d58a94The pink repeats the red at a much quieter volume.Charcoal #36454fDark meets dark, and the red holds its own.
Questions about Carnelian
What is the hex code for Carnelian?
Carnelian is #b31b1b. In RGB that is rgb(179, 27, 27), in HSL hsl(0, 74%, 40%) and in CMYK 0%, 85%, 85%, 30%.
How do I use #b31b1b effectively in UI design?
Use #b31b1b primarily as a high-impact accent color for buttons or status indicators, but avoid using it for large text blocks or backgrounds because its heavy visual weight can quickly overwhelm users. Pair it with high-contrast white text to ensure readability meets accessibility standards.
Is Carnelian readable on white or black?
Carnelian has a 6.79:1 contrast ratio on white and 3.08:1 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.