Crimson Colors

Everything you need to know about crimson colors to inspire your next design.

Pick a color

Hex

#DC143C

RGB

220,20,60

HSB

348,91%,86%

HSL

348,83%,47%
Crimson Presets

Pick palette settings

#DC143C
#E34963
#B01030
#800020
#800000

What are Crimson Colors?

Crimson is a rich, deep red color with a slight blue undertone that evokes feelings of passion, power, and sophistication. It's often described as a deeper, more elegant alternative to standard red, with historical associations to royalty, luxury, and prestige. The name "crimson" comes from the Sanskrit word "krmi-ja" (meaning "worm-made"), referring to the red dye produced from the crushed bodies of certain scale insects.

Classic Crimson

#DC143C

Crimson Colors on Digital Screens

Crimson colors are defined by the following color codes and values to ensure consistency across various digital platforms and devices:

  • Classic Crimson: #DC143C (RGB: 220, 20, 60)
  • Light Crimson: #E34963 (RGB: 227, 73, 99)
  • Dark Crimson: #B01030 (RGB: 176, 16, 48)
  • Burgundy: #800020 (RGB: 128, 0, 32)
  • Maroon: #800000 (RGB: 128, 0, 0)
  • Ruby: #E0115F (RGB: 224, 17, 95)
  • Cardinal: #C41E3A (RGB: 196, 30, 58)

Using Crimson Colors in UI Design

Crimson is a powerful color that can add drama and sophistication to your designs. Here are some tips for using crimson effectively:

  • Use crimson as an accent color to draw attention to important elements like call-to-action buttons or important notifications
  • Pair crimson with neutral colors like white, black, or gray for a classic, elegant look
  • Combine crimson with gold or cream for a luxurious, regal aesthetic
  • Use crimson sparingly in large areas as it can be visually overwhelming
  • Consider crimson for brands that want to convey passion, luxury, or sophistication
  • Balance crimson with cooler colors like navy blue or teal for a balanced color scheme

Colors That Complement Crimson

Off White
Charcoal
Gold
Navy Blue

Crimson Color Symbolism

Crimson carries rich symbolism across different cultures and contexts. It's often associated with:

Passion and love, making it popular for romantic and luxury brands. Power and strength, often used in academic and institutional branding. Sophistication and elegance, frequently used in fashion and luxury goods. Energy and excitement, popular in entertainment and sports. Courage and sacrifice, connecting to historical and ceremonial themes.

Historical Significance

Historically, crimson has been a color of great significance. In ancient Rome, it was worn by generals during victory parades. In medieval Europe, crimson dyes were extremely expensive and were reserved for royalty and nobility. The color became associated with wealth and power because only the elite could afford garments dyed in this rich hue. Harvard University adopted crimson as its official color in 1875, after a rowing team wore crimson scarves to identify themselves during a regatta. Today, crimson continues to be associated with prestige, tradition, and academic excellence.

Crimson Color Variants

Color Name Hex Code RGB
Crimson #DC143C rgb(220, 20, 60)
Light Crimson #E34963 rgb(227, 73, 99)
Dark Crimson #B01030 rgb(176, 16, 48)
Burgundy #800020 rgb(128, 0, 32)
Maroon #800000 rgb(128, 0, 0)
Ruby #E0115F rgb(224, 17, 95)
Cardinal #C41E3A rgb(196, 30, 58)