Persian Red
Bold and energetic classic red tone
Persian Red is a saturated, high-energy hue that demands immediate attention. Because of its intensity, the hex code #cc3333 functions best as a 10 percent accent rather than a background color. Pair this shade with soft grays or off-whites to balance its inherent loudness. White text remains readable against it, making it a functional choice for impactful call-to-action buttons or alert icons.
About Persian Red
Chile flakes scattered over a hot cast-iron pan
What does persian red mean?
In many cultures this red often signals celebration, appetite, and attention, which is why food packaging and sale tags lean on it so heavily. Its deep, fully saturated tone reads bold and warm rather than bright or playful, giving designs a confident, grounded heat without tipping into alarm.
Where you see persian red
- fire hydrants
- ripe tomatoes
- red barn paint
- cardinal feathers
- brick walls
- chili peppers
What it works for
Use it for food branding, sale badges, and accents that need warmth, then keep it off large text areas on light backgrounds.
What colors go with persian red?
Mustard #ffdb58Both colors carry heat, so the pairing feels warm and spicy instead of clashing.Sage #9caf88The muted green cools this red down and keeps it from overwhelming the page.Cream #fffdd0Cream softens the red's intensity and lets it act as the single focal color.Charcoal #36454fCharcoal absorbs the red's loudness, producing a strong, industrial pairing.
Questions about Persian Red
What is the hex code for Persian Red?
Persian Red is #cc3333. In RGB that is rgb(204, 51, 51), in HSL hsl(0, 60%, 50%) and in CMYK 0%, 75%, 75%, 20%.
What is the best way to use Persian Red #cc3333 in design?
Because #cc3333 is highly saturated, use it as a 10 percent accent rather than a background color. It is ideal for call-to-action buttons, alert icons, or warning indicators where you need the user's eye to be drawn immediately. Pair it with off-white to maintain readability.
How can I balance the intensity of Persian Red?
Balance the inherent loudness of #cc3333 by pairing it with neutral tones like soft gray or muted whites. These cooler, lighter backgrounds soften the visual impact of the red, allowing the color to stand out without overwhelming the overall layout of your interface.
Is Persian Red readable on white or black?
Persian Red has a 5.13:1 contrast ratio on white and 4.08:1 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.