Cognac
Warm cognac orange with approachable, earthy energy
Cognac is a warm, mid-tone orange that feels both approachable and energetic. Because of its mellow saturation, it avoids feeling aggressive, making it an excellent base for playful branding or autumn-inspired layouts. Pair it with deep charcoal for a sophisticated contrast that keeps the orange grounded. With a high contrast ratio against black text, the hex code #d48c46 remains legible for both UI elements and body copy.
About Cognac
Amber syrup poured over late afternoon light
What does cognac mean?
Cognac often calls to mind worn leather, autumn harvests, spiced drinks, and baked goods fresh from the oven. Its medium lightness and muted saturation read as mellow and easygoing, warm without ever turning sharp or loud.
Where you see cognac
- aged leather belts
- butternut squash soup
- copper cookware
- caramel candies
- pumpkin pie filling
- dried maple leaves
What it works for
It works well for cozy branding, food packaging, fall interiors, and grounding accents in warm, earthy palettes.
What colors go with cognac?
Deep Teal #00555aCool teal balances the warmth and makes the orange glow without shouting.Sage #9caf88Soft green keeps the pairing gentle and earthy, like herbs on a wooden table.Cream #fffdd0Cream lightens the swatch and gives its warmth room to breathe.Chocolate Brown #7b3f00Dark brown deepens the palette, echoing the color's roasted undertones.Dusty Rose #b56f76Muted pink adds a soft, slightly unexpected counterpoint to the orange base.Olive Green #808000Olive leans into the color's yellow side for a grounded, harvest feel.
Questions about Cognac
What is the hex code for Cognac?
Cognac is #d48c46. In RGB that is rgb(212, 140, 70), in HSL hsl(30, 62%, 55%) and in CMYK 0%, 34%, 67%, 17%.
Is Cognac readable on white or black?
Cognac has a 2.74:1 contrast ratio on white and 7.63:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it is too faint for text and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.