The 25 Best Shades of Dark Red (+ HEX Codes)

1) Mordant Red 19

HEX #AE0C00 · RGB 174, 12, 0 · CMYK 0, 93, 100, 32

This shade started life as a textile dye name, and it still carries that slightly industrial precision. It's a true orange-leaning red rather than a red with brown mixed in, which makes it punchier than most "dark red" shades on this list. At 7.36 contrast against white, it's a safe pick for headlines and large blocks of text.

Best for: bold CTA buttons, sale banners, anywhere you want urgency without going full stop-sign red

2) Rufous

HEX #A81C07 · RGB 168, 28, 7 · CMYK 0, 83, 96, 34

Rufous is the color ornithologists actually use to describe the reddish-brown feathers on certain birds, and that natural origin shows. It reads as warm and grounded rather than alarming. Contrast against white sits at 7.41, comfortably clearing the accessibility bar.

Best for: organic and earthy branding, autumn-themed content, packaging for natural or artisanal goods

3) Firebrick

HEX #B22222 · RGB 178, 34, 34 · CMYK 0, 81, 81, 30

Named for the color of fired clay brick, this shade sits right in the middle of the dark red family: not too orange, not too purple. A 6.68 contrast ratio against white keeps it dependable for both text and interface elements.

Best for: structural or architectural branding, warning states in UI that need to feel serious but not panicked

4) Vivid Auburn

HEX #922724 · RGB 146, 39, 36 · CMYK 0, 73, 75, 43

A deeper, more muted cousin of standard auburn, closer to dried clay than hair color. It has real weight to it. At 8.27 contrast against white, it holds up well as a heading color on a light background.

Best for: editorial headlines, fall and winter campaigns, vintage-leaning branding

5) Deep Carmine

HEX #A9203E · RGB 169, 32, 62 · CMYK 0, 81, 63, 34

Carmine on its own carries a slightly pink undertone; the "deep" version pulls that back toward wine. It's one of the more versatile shades here, sitting almost exactly between pure red and burgundy. Contrast against white: 7.09.

Best for: luxury cosmetics, wine and spirits labels, fashion branding

6) Saddle Brown

HEX #8B4513 · RGB 139, 69, 19 · CMYK 0, 50, 86, 45

This one sits at the very edge of the dark red family since it leans hard into brown, which is exactly why it gets included in these lists so often: it's the bridge color between red and brown palettes. A 7.10 contrast ratio against white makes it perfectly legible as body text.

Best for: leather goods, western and heritage branding, warm neutral backgrounds

7) Dark Chestnut

HEX #986960 · RGB 152, 105, 96 · CMYK 0, 31, 37, 40

The most desaturated shade on this list, closer to a muted rose-brown than a true red. Its contrast values (4.64 against white, 4.52 against black) are nearly balanced, meaning it's one of the only shades here that works reasonably well with either light or dark text.

Best for: minimalist branding, muted or "quiet luxury" palettes, background wash colors

8) Vivid Burgundy

HEX #9F1D35 · RGB 159, 29, 53 · CMYK 0, 82, 67, 38

Real burgundy without the brown mixed in, so it reads as more purple-leaning red than the wine-and-brown burgundy people usually picture. Contrast against white sits at 7.77.

Best for: premium branding, formalwear, awards and certificate design

9) Deep Coffee

HEX #704241 · RGB 112, 66, 65 · CMYK 0, 41, 42, 56

Genuinely closer to brown than red, but with enough warmth in the undertone to earn its place in the family. A 8.25 contrast ratio against white keeps it solidly legible.

Best for: coffee and food branding, warm interior palettes, cozy editorial design

10) Dark Raspberry

HEX #872657 · RGB 135, 38, 87 · CMYK 0, 72, 36, 47

The most purple-leaning shade on the list, sitting right at the edge between red and magenta. At 8.59 contrast against white, it's one of the stronger performers here for text legibility.

Best for: beauty and fashion branding, bold accent colors, anything that wants a red with a little more attitude

11) Harvard Crimson

HEX #C90016 · RGB 201, 0, 22 · CMYK 0, 100, 89, 21

The official color of Harvard University, and one of the most saturated shades on this list. It carries built-in associations with academic prestige and tradition wherever it's used. Contrast against white: 6.01.

Best for: academic branding, formal institutions, certificates and diplomas

12) Ferrari Red

HEX #FF2800 · RGB 255, 40, 0 · CMYK 0, 84, 100, 0

The brightest, most saturated shade on this list by far, and honestly more of a true red than a dark one. It's included here because it's requested constantly, but the numbers tell the real story: 3.78 contrast against white fails the accessibility bar for body text entirely. Use it for large text or icons only, and pair it with black rather than white for the strongest contrast (5.56).

Best for: automotive branding, high-energy sports content, sparing use as an accent rather than a background

13) Rust

HEX #B7410E · RGB 183, 65, 14 · CMYK 0, 64, 92, 28

The color of oxidized iron, and one of the most popular "dark red" shades in interior design over the last several years. Warm, earthy, and forgiving to pair with. Contrast against white: 5.56.

Best for: interior decor, vintage and industrial branding, autumn product lines

14) Rose Vale / English Red

HEX #AB4E52 · RGB 171, 78, 82 · CMYK 0, 54, 52, 33

A dusty, muted red with a soft pink undertone; it reads as romantic without tipping into pastel territory. A 5.33 contrast ratio against white keeps it usable for text, though it's better suited to headlines than dense paragraphs.

Best for: wedding and event branding, soft feminine palettes, greeting cards

15) Crimson

HEX #DC143C · RGB 220, 20, 60 · CMYK 0, 91, 73, 14

Possibly the most recognizable named red after "red" itself, historically derived from crushed insect dye. Contrast against white is only 4.99, right at the edge of the AA threshold, so double-check any body text set in this color against your actual background before shipping it.

Best for: marketing accents, holiday campaigns, sports team branding

16) Falu Red

HEX #801818 · RGB 128, 24, 24 · CMYK 0, 81, 81, 50

Named for the copper mine pigment used to paint traditional Swedish houses, this shade has genuine rustic history behind it. At 10.19 contrast against white, it's one of the strongest performers on this list for text legibility.

Best for: rustic and heritage branding, cabin and countryside aesthetics, vintage packaging

17) Upsdell Red

HEX #AE2029 · RGB 174, 32, 41 · CMYK 0, 82, 76, 32

A balanced, slightly cool-leaning red that sits comfortably between Firebrick and Crimson. Contrast against white: 6.91, safely inside accessible range.

Best for: corporate branding, formal reports, general-purpose accent color

18) UA Red

HEX #D9004C · RGB 217, 0, 76 · CMYK 0, 100, 65, 15

The most pink-shifted shade on the list, closer to magenta than most people expect from a "dark red." Contrast against white sits at 5.18, workable but worth checking at your actual font size.

Best for: youth sports branding, bold streetwear, high-visibility accent use

19) Crimson Red

HEX #990000 · RGB 153, 0, 0 · CMYK 0, 100, 100, 40

A pure, saturated red-black with no brown or purple pulling it off course. Contrast against white is a strong 8.92, making it one of the safest choices here for both headlines and body copy.

Best for: classic branding, formal invitations, high-contrast web design

20) Dark Candy Apple Red

HEX #A40000 · RGB 164, 0, 0 · CMYK 0, 100, 100, 36

Named for the glossy candy-apple coating rather than the fruit itself, this shade carries a slightly glossy, saturated feel even without any actual shine applied. Contrast against white: 8.14.

Best for: automotive and product design, holiday and seasonal branding

21) Carnelian / Cornell

HEX #B31B1B · RGB 179, 27, 27 · CMYK 0, 85, 85, 30

Named for the reddish-brown gemstone, Carnelian has a mineral, almost polished quality to it. A 6.80 contrast ratio against white keeps it dependable for most design uses.

Best for: jewelry branding, luxury goods, warm accent walls in interior design

22) Persian Red

HEX #CC3333 · RGB 204, 51, 51 · CMYK 0, 75, 75, 20

Softer and less saturated than Crimson or Harvard Crimson, with a slightly muted quality that reads as approachable rather than alarming. Contrast against white: 5.14, right at the edge of AA compliance.

Best for: friendly brand accents, editorial pull-quotes, warm call-out boxes

23) Pale Carmine

HEX #AF4035 · RGB 175, 64, 53 · CMYK 0, 63, 70, 31

Despite the name, this isn't especially pale; it's simply lighter and warmer than standard Carmine, with an orange undertone. Contrast against white: 5.82.

Best for: warm editorial design, food and beverage branding, autumn palettes

24) Venetian Red

HEX #C80815 · RGB 200, 8, 21 · CMYK 0, 96, 89, 22

One of the oldest documented pigment names in art history, originally derived from natural iron oxide clay. It carries genuine old-world weight, which is why it still shows up in fine art and classical branding. Contrast against white: 6.00.

Best for: art and design branding, classical or historical content, museum and gallery use

25) Chocolate Cosmos

HEX #560319 · RGB 86, 3, 25 · CMYK 0, 97, 71, 66

Named for the flower, which is famous for smelling faintly of chocolate, this is the darkest true red on the list. At 14.76 contrast against white, it functions almost like a near-black, making it an excellent substitute for pure black anywhere you want a hint of warmth in the shadows.

Best for: premium dark-mode UI, luxury packaging, moody photography overlays

Oxblood (#4A0404): The deepest, most brown-shifted red on this whole list, with a 16.03 contrast ratio against white. A staple in British fashion and footwear branding.

Maroon (#800000): The shade people picture first when they hear "dark red." Balanced, safe, and a dependable default at 10.95 contrast against white.

Wine (#722F37): Muted and sophisticated, closer to a true burgundy with a hint of gray mixed in. Works well in quiet, minimalist palettes.

Cordovan (#893F45): Named for a type of Spanish leather, with a dusty rose-brown quality that pairs beautifully with cream and tan.

Barn Red (#7C0A02): The classic American barn paint color, warm and slightly orange-shifted with an 11.05 contrast ratio against white.