What Color is Scarlet
Scarlet is a brilliant red with a distinct hint of orange, separating it from the cooler, bluer crimson. It represents a fiery intensity that sits comfortably between pure red and bright orange on the spectrum. Visually, it acts as a powerful stimulant, historically associated with extreme wealth, religious power, and unbridled vitality.
Additional Information
- Color Family: Red
- Temperature: Warm
- Associated Season: Autumn
- Complementary Color: #00DDFF
- Brightness: 97/255
- Saturation: 100%
Colors That Pair Well With Scarlet
Complementary
Pair with Scooter for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.
High Contrast
Use Scooter for maximum readability. Ideal for text or critical UI elements.
Harmonious Depth
Use lighter and darker shades for a sophisticated, cohesive design. Great for backgrounds, text, and subtle accents.
Color Variations
Tints (add white)
Tones (add grey)
Scarlet History
The term originated from the Persian word saqirlat, which initially referred to a high-quality cloth rather than the hue itself. The specific bright red dye was historically derived from the kermes insect, a scale bug found on oaks in the Mediterranean, making the color incredibly expensive and exclusive to the elite during the Medieval era.
In art history, painters utilized the toxic pigment vermilion (cinnabar) to achieve this saturation before the invention of safer synthetic options like Cadmium Red in the 20th century. It became a symbol of religious status, famously adopted by Roman Catholic Cardinals in 1295 to signify their willingness to shed blood for the church.
Meaning & Psychology
Scarlet is the color of urgency, proven to physically raise blood pressure and stimulate the human appetite. It represents raw passion and physical desire, lacking the somber intellectualism of darker, wine-colored reds. It is an aggressive hue that refuses to be ignored.
Culturally, it carries a polarized weight, symbolizing both sin—as popularized by Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary masterpiece—and immense power. In branding, it is frequently used to trigger impulse, making it a favorite choice for clearance signs and fast-food logos.
In Nature
This hue appears vividly in the plumage of the Scarlet Macaw and the Scarlet Ibis, birds that gain this coloration through a carotene-rich diet. It signals danger in nature, coloring poisonous berries and the caps of toxic mushrooms like the Fly Agaric. It is also the defining shade of ox-blood lilies and roaring flames.
How To Use Scarlet
In design, Scarlet acts as a high-visibility accent that should be used sparingly to avoid causing visual fatigue. It is the premier choice for 'Call to Action' buttons that demand immediate action, such as 'Buy Now' or error notifications.
regarding accessibility, avoid pairing this hue with bright green to prevent visual vibration for those with color blindness. Always test for sufficient contrast against white backgrounds, as the orange undertone can sometimes make thin typography difficult for the eye to resolve.
Related Words
Curated Palettes
Imperial Robe
A luxurious, high-contrast palette inspired by historical royalty and religious vestments.
Electric Tangerine
A modern, high-energy triad palette perfect for sport and tech branding.
Harvest Fire
An analogous palette mimicking the natural gradient of autumn leaves and embers.
Color Conversions
Color Blindness Simulation
CSS Snippets
color: #FF2400;
color: rgb(255, 36, 0);
background-color: #FF2400;
border: 3px solid #FF2400;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #FF240066;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #FF2400 0%, #ffffff 100%);
Shop Premium Products in Scarlet
This isn't just a mockup. We'll custom make high-quality home decor in this exact shade, just for you.
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Product Details
Add a touch of luxury to your home with our premium Eco Velvet cushions. Soft to the touch, these cushions are perfect for adding comfort and style to any room.
- Material: Soft Eco Velvet.
- Feel: Velvety soft finish.
- Print: Double-sided, all-over vibrant color using water-based inks.
- Care: Machine washable at 30°C.
- Construction: Handmade to order with a concealed zipper.
Eco Credentials
We believe in sustainable style. Our cushions are crafted with the planet in mind.
- Made to Order: Produced only when you order, eliminating overproduction and waste.
- Water-Based Inks: Printed using neo-pigment, water-based inks that are non-hazardous, toxin-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Local Fulfilment: Produced locally where possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
- Vegan Friendly: No animal products are used in the production of these cushions.
What Goes With Scarlet?
Explore color palettes containing Scarlet and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.
Split-complementary
Triadic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast with Black and White
Contrast with Black
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Contrast with White
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Closest Color Matches
Caran d'ache Luminance 6901
Permanent Red
#061 • #E2271B
Similar Colors
View all Red colors →Colors with similar hex values and appearance to Scarlet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for Scarlet?
What colors go with Scarlet?
Is Scarlet accessible for text?
How do I use Scarlet in CSS?
You can use Scarlet in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:
.scarlet {
background-color: #FF2400;
color: #FFFFFF;
}For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.