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Cardinal Red Color Code: HEX Code & RGB Code Values
Looking for specific cardinal red color code? Get exact cardinal red hex code #C41E3A and cardinal red RGB code rgb(196,30,58). Complete color information for design and development projects featuring this rich, sophisticated color.

HEX
#C41E3ARGB
rgb(196,30,58)Shades of Cardinal Red
Create custom shades of cardinal red with our color generator. Adjust hues, tints, and tones to find the perfect shade of cardinal red for your project.
Shades (Adding Black)
- C41E3Argb(196, 30, 58)
- A11F31rgb(161, 31, 49)
- 801E28rgb(128, 30, 40)
- 601B20rgb(96, 27, 32)
- 411618rgb(65, 22, 24)
- 25100Ergb(37, 16, 14)
- 000000rgb(0, 0, 0)
Tints (Adding White)
- C41E3Argb(196, 30, 58)
- D45057rgb(212, 80, 87)
- E17576rgb(225, 117, 118)
- ED9896rgb(237, 152, 150)
- F6BAB8rgb(246, 186, 184)
- FCDDDBrgb(252, 221, 219)
- FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)
Tones (Adding Gray)
- C41E3Argb(196, 30, 58)
- BB303Frgb(187, 48, 63)
- AE3F45rgb(174, 63, 69)
- A04B4Crgb(160, 75, 76)
- 8F5554rgb(143, 85, 84)
- 7C5D5Crgb(124, 93, 92)
- 808080rgb(128, 128, 128)
Cardinal Red Palette
Explore curated and automatically generated color palettes featuring cardinal red. See how it harmonizes with other colors for UI themes, graphics, and branding materials.
Sequential
Single hue gradient for data visualization
7 colors
Lightest
#FBB7C3
Light
#ED8A92
Medium Light
#DA5B64
Medium
#C41E3A
Medium Dark
#831E2A
Dark
#47181B
Darkest
#100608
Diverging
Dual hue gradient with a neutral midpoint
9 colors
Base End
#C41E3A
Left Dark
#D86164
Left Medium
#E89492
Left Light
#F1C4C2
Neutral
#F5F5F5
Right Light
#CBEAE1
Right Medium
#9FDECE
Right Dark
#6ED1BB
Complementary End
#1EC4A8
Monochromatic
Same hue, different brightness/saturation
5 colors
Lightest
#FFFFFF
Light
#ED9896
Medium
#C41E3A
Dark
#82000D
Darkest
#000000
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the color wheel (30° apart)
5 colors
Left Adjacent 2
#A81EC4
Left Adjacent 1
#C41E8D
Main
#C41E3A
Right Adjacent 1
#C4551E
Right Adjacent 2
#C4A81E
Complementary
Colors opposite on the color wheel (180° apart)
2 colors
Main
#C41E3A
Complementary
#1EC4A8
Triadic
Evenly spaced around the color wheel (120° apart)
3 colors
Main
#C41E3A
Secondary
#3AC41E
Tertiary
#1E3AC4
Square
Four colors evenly spaced (90° apart)
4 colors
Main
#C41E3A
Right 90°
#8DC41E
Complementary
#1EC4A8
Left 90°
#551EC4
Tetradic
Two pairs of complementary colors
4 colors
Main
#C41E3A
Secondary
#C4A81E
Complementary
#1EC4A8
Complementary Secondary
#1E3AC4
Split Complementary
Complementary colors ±30°
3 colors
Main
#C41E3A
Split Left
#1EC455
Split Right
#1E8DC4
Cyclic
Circular gradient for periodic data
8 colors
0°
#C41E3A
45°
#C47F1E
90°
#8DC41E
135°
#1EC42C
180°
#1EC4A8
225°
#1E64C4
270°
#551EC4
315°
#C41EB7
Pastel
Soft, desaturated colors for modern UI
6 colors
Light Pastel
#C3A2A7
Pastel 1
#CBAEB3
Pastel 2
#D3BBBF
Pastel 3
#DBC7CA
Pastel 4
#E3D3D6
Deep Pastel
#EBE0E2
Common Red Color Codes (HEX & RGB)
Red →
HEX:#FF0000
RGB:rgb(255, 0, 0)
Dark Red →
HEX:#8B0000
RGB:rgb(139, 0, 0)
Blood Red →
HEX:#880808
RGB:rgb(136,8,8)
Maroon →
HEX:#800000
RGB:rgb(128, 0, 0)
Burgundy →
HEX:#800020
RGB:rgb(128, 0, 32)
Crimson →
HEX:#DC143C
RGB:rgb(220, 20, 60)
Extract Cardinal Red Hex & RGB Codes from Image
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Cardinal Red Color Code Converter
Instantly convert between HEX, RGB, CMYK, and more for cardinal red shades.
All Formats:
- HEX:#C41E3A
- RGB:rgb(196, 30, 58)
- CMYK:cmyk(0%, 85%, 70%, 23%)
- HSV:hsv(350°, 85%, 77%)
- HSL:hsl(350°, 73%, 44%)
What is Cardinal Red?
Cardinal red is a rich, vivid red inspired by the crimson-colored robes worn by cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. Named after these high-ranking clergy members whose distinctive scarlet garments have symbolized religious authority for centuries, cardinal red sits between clear red and crimson — warm enough to feel energetic, yet deep enough to convey dignity and importance.
The hex code for cardinal red is #C41E3A, with RGB values of rgb(196, 30, 58). The color achieves its characteristic warmth through a strong red channel, a restrained green component, and a moderate blue presence that deepens the red without pushing it into the coolness of crimson. In print, cardinal red's CMYK composition emphasizes magenta and yellow with modest black, producing a vivid yet sophisticated red.
Cardinal Red vs Similar Reds
Cardinal red holds a distinct middle ground among classic reds:
| Color | HEX Code | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Red | #C41E3A | Rich warm red, vibrant but dignified |
| Crimson | #DC143C | Cooler, with more blue undertone |
| Scarlet | #FF2400 | Much brighter, more orange-leaning |
| Ruby Red | #9B111E | Darker, more jewel-toned and muted |
Cardinal red is more balanced than scarlet — it has enough warmth to feel energetic but trades scarlet's aggressive brightness for a more refined presence. Compared to crimson, cardinal red is noticeably warmer and sits closer to a true neutral red.
Using Cardinal Red in Design
Cardinal red's balance of warmth and depth makes it versatile across design disciplines:
Web and UI Design: Cardinal red performs well as a primary brand accent for sports teams, universities, and appointment-based platforms. It creates inviting CTA buttons that feel urgent without being aggressive. Its warm character makes it particularly effective for food, hospitality, and social platforms where pure red can feel too transactional.
Graphic Design: Cardinal red prints beautifully on both coated and uncoated paper. It pairs naturally with white and navy for collegiate-style designs, or with gold and black for more premium applications. It makes an excellent hero color for presentation decks and annual reports seeking warmth and professionalism.
Brand and Sports Identity: The St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) and Arizona Cardinals (NFL) built their identities around cardinal red. Multiple universities, including Stanford and the University of Arkansas, use cardinal red to convey passion, tradition, and competitive spirit. The color says "we care deeply about what we do."
Fashion: Cardinal red is a universally flattering shade that suits both warm and cool skin tones. It appears frequently in formal wear, accessories, and cosmetics — a slightly softer alternative to true red for those wanting color without overwhelming brightness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cardinal red hex code?
The cardinal red hex code is #C41E3A. This rich, warm red is used across sports branding, university colors, and design platforms.
What colors go well with cardinal red?
Cardinal red pairs well with navy blue, white, gold, charcoal, cream, and forest green. For collegiate looks, combine cardinal red with white and navy.
Is cardinal red the same as crimson?
No. Cardinal red (#C41E3A) is warmer and slightly brighter than crimson (#DC143C), which has a cooler, bluer undertone.
What are the RGB values for cardinal red?
The cardinal red RGB code is rgb(196, 30, 58) — strong red, minimal green, and moderate blue that creates warmth without cooling the color.
What is cardinal red's CMYK equivalent?
Cardinal red CMYK is approximately C:0, M:85, Y:70, K:23, producing a vivid warm red well-suited for both digital and print applications.