Crimson Color Code: HEX Code & RGB Code Values

Looking for specific crimson color code? Get exact crimson hex code #DC143C and crimson RGB code rgb(220,20,60). Complete color information for design and development projects featuring this rich, vibrant red.

HEX#DC143C

RGBrgb(220,20,60)

Shades of Crimson

Create custom shades of crimson with our color generator. Adjust hues, tints, and tones to find the perfect shade of crimson for your project.

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HEX Color Value

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Shades (Adding Black)

• DC143C

  rgb(220, 20, 60)
• B51B33

  rgb(181, 27, 51)
• 8F1C2A

  rgb(143, 28, 42)
• 6A1B21

  rgb(106, 27, 33)
• 481718

  rgb(72, 23, 24)
• 28110F

  rgb(40, 17, 15)
• 000000

  rgb(0, 0, 0)

Tints (Adding White)

• DC143C

  rgb(220, 20, 60)
• E95059

  rgb(233, 80, 89)
• F37778

  rgb(243, 119, 120)
• FA9B98

  rgb(250, 155, 152)
• FFBCB9

  rgb(255, 188, 185)
• FFDEDC

  rgb(255, 222, 220)
• FFFFFF

  rgb(255, 255, 255)

Tones (Adding Gray)

• DC143C

  rgb(220, 20, 60)
• D12F42

  rgb(209, 47, 66)
• C34249

  rgb(195, 66, 73)
• B35152

  rgb(179, 81, 82)
• A05D5B

  rgb(160, 93, 91)
• 8A6765

  rgb(138, 103, 101)
• 808080

  rgb(128, 128, 128)

Crimson Palette

Explore curated and automatically generated color palettes featuring crimson. See how it harmonizes with other colors for UI themes, graphics, and branding materials.

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HEX Color Value

Sequential

Single hue gradient for data visualization

7 colors

Lightest

#FFC0CD

Light

#F9919A

Medium Light

#ED5F69

Medium

#DC143C

Medium Dark

#96192C

Dark

#55151C

Darkest

#1D060A

Diverging

Dual hue gradient with a neutral midpoint

9 colors

Base End

#DC143C

Left Dark

#EB6266

Left Medium

#F59693

Left Light

#F9C6C3

Neutral

#F5F5F5

Right Light

#CEF0E4

Right Medium

#A3EAD4

Right Dark

#71E3C4

Complementary End

#14DCB4

Monochromatic

Same hue, different brightness/saturation

5 colors

Lightest

#FFFFFF

Light

#FA9B98

Medium

#DC143C

Dark

#91000A

Darkest

#000000

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the color wheel (30° apart)

5 colors

Left Adjacent 2

#B414DC

Left Adjacent 1

#DC14A0

Main

#DC143C

Right Adjacent 1

#DC5014

Right Adjacent 2

#DCB414

Complementary

Colors opposite on the color wheel (180° apart)

2 colors

Main

#DC143C

Complementary

#14DCB4

Triadic

Evenly spaced around the color wheel (120° apart)

3 colors

Main

#DC143C

Secondary

#3CDC14

Tertiary

#143CDC

Square

Four colors evenly spaced (90° apart)

4 colors

Main

#DC143C

Right 90°

#A0DC14

Complementary

#14DCB4

Left 90°

#5014DC

Tetradic

Two pairs of complementary colors

4 colors

Main

#DC143C

Secondary

#DCB414

Complementary

#14DCB4

Complementary Secondary

#143CDC

Split Complementary

Complementary colors ±30°

3 colors

Main

#DC143C

Split Left

#14DC50

Split Right

#14A0DC

Cyclic

Circular gradient for periodic data

8 colors

0°

#DC143C

45°

#DC8214

90°

#A0DC14

135°

#14DC1E

180°

#14DCB4

225°

#146EDC

270°

#5014DC

315°

#DC14D2

Pastel

Soft, desaturated colors for modern UI

6 colors

Light Pastel

#C69FA7

Pastel 1

#CDACB3

Pastel 2

#D5B9BE

Pastel 3

#DDC6CA

Pastel 4

#E4D2D6

Deep Pastel

#ECDFE2

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 Crimson Hex & RGB Codes from Image

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Crimson Color Code Converter

Instantly convert between HEX, RGB, CMYK, and more for crimson shades.

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HEX Color Value

All Formats:

• HEX:
  #DC143C
• RGB:
  rgb(220, 20, 60)
• CMYK:
  cmyk(0%, 91%, 73%, 14%)
• HSV:
  hsv(348°, 91%, 86%)
• HSL:
  hsl(348°, 83%, 47%)

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What is Crimson?

Crimson is a deep, vivid red with a subtle bluish undertone that sets it apart from pure red. The word "crimson" comes from the Old Spanish cremesin, derived from the Arabic qirmiz, referring to the kermes insect that was historically harvested to produce a rich red dye. For centuries, crimson dye was one of the most prized and expensive colorants in the world, reserved for royalty, religious garments, and the highest ranks of society.

In the RGB color space, crimson is represented as rgb(220, 20, 60), meaning it contains a dominant red component with very little green and a moderate amount of blue. This combination gives crimson its characteristic depth and richness compared to brighter, warmer reds like scarlet. In print and design, the CMYK equivalent highlights magenta as the dominant pigment, making crimson reproduce beautifully in both digital and physical formats.

Crimson vs Other Reds

Crimson is often compared to similar red shades, but each has distinct characteristics:

Color	HEX Code	Key Difference
Crimson	#DC143C	Deep red with blue undertone, cool and sophisticated
Scarlet	#FF2400	Bright orange-red, warmer and more energetic
Burgundy	#800020	Darker, more purple-brown, wine-like
Cardinal Red	#C41E3A	Slightly brighter and warmer than crimson
Ruby Red	#9B111E	Darker and more muted, jewel-toned

Crimson strikes a perfect balance between the excitement of red and the elegance of deeper tones. It is less aggressive than scarlet but more vibrant than burgundy, making it versatile for both bold statements and refined designs.

Color Psychology and Meaning

Crimson carries powerful psychological associations. As a shade of red, it evokes passion, energy, and determination. However, its deeper, cooler undertone adds layers of sophistication, nobility, and seriousness that pure red lacks.

In different cultures and contexts, crimson symbolizes:

• Power and prestige: Used in academic robes, royal garments, and ceremonial attire
• Love and passion: A romantic alternative to bright red, suggesting deeper, more mature affection
• Courage and sacrifice: Associated with blood and bravery in heraldry and military insignia
• Warning and urgency: Frequently used in stop signs, error messages, and alert indicators

For brands and designers, choosing crimson over bright red signals a more refined, established identity while still commanding attention and conveying energy.

Using Crimson in Design

Crimson works exceptionally well across various design disciplines when applied thoughtfully:

Web and UI Design: Crimson makes an excellent accent color for call-to-action buttons, headers, and notification badges. On white or light backgrounds, it provides high contrast without the harshness of pure red. For dark mode interfaces, lighter crimson tints offer warmth and readability.

Graphic Design: Crimson pairs beautifully with neutral tones like ivory, charcoal, and taupe for elegant layouts. It creates striking contrast with teal, navy blue, or forest green for more dynamic compositions. Gold and cream accents elevate crimson to a luxurious, premium aesthetic.

Fashion and Interior Design: In fashion, crimson conveys confidence and sophistication — think evening gowns, ties, and statement accessories. In interiors, crimson works well as an accent wall or in soft furnishings like cushions and curtains, adding warmth without overwhelming a space.

Brand Identity: Many prestigious institutions use crimson in their branding, including Harvard University ("Harvard Crimson"), the University of Alabama, and numerous sports teams. The color communicates tradition, excellence, and authority.

Color Harmony and Combinations

Understanding how crimson interacts with other colors helps create balanced, professional palettes:

• Monochromatic: Pair crimson with lighter tints (pink) and darker shades (maroon) for depth
• Complementary: Teal or cyan (#008080 range) creates maximum visual contrast
• Analogous: Rose and magenta tones build a warm, cohesive palette
• Triadic: Crimson, lime green, and cobalt blue form a bold, energetic combination
• Neutral grounding: Beige, cream, grey, and black let crimson stand out without competing

For web accessibility, test crimson's contrast ratio against backgrounds. Crimson (#DC143C) on white achieves approximately 4.6:1 contrast, meeting WCAG AA standards for large text but falling short for small body text. Use a darker crimson variant or bold font weight to improve readability when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact crimson hex code?

The standard crimson hex code is #DC143C. This value is widely recognized across design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and CSS frameworks.

What colors go well with crimson?

Crimson pairs well with neutrals (white, cream, charcoal, beige), cool tones (teal, navy, sage green), and metallics (gold, bronze). For a bold palette, combine crimson with mustard yellow or royal blue.

Is crimson the same as maroon?

No. Crimson (#DC143C) is a bright, bluish-red, while maroon (#800000) is a dark brownish-red. Crimson is noticeably lighter and more vibrant.

What is the RGB code for crimson?

The crimson RGB code is rgb(220, 20, 60) — red: 220, green: 20, blue: 60.

What is the CMYK value for crimson?

The crimson CMYK value is approximately C:0, M:91, Y:73, K:14, making it a cool, magenta-dominant red ideal for print.

Can crimson be used as a background color?

Crimson can be used as a background or accent, but for large background areas, consider softer tints or pair crimson with neutral colors to maintain visual comfort and readability.