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Brown#A52A2A

Brown color code is #A52A2A. Use this page to get all code formats, explore shades and tints, and find colors that work with brown.

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Explore Brown

Brown Accessibility & WCAG Contrast

Relative luminance of Brown is 0.0982. Its WCAG contrast ratio is 7.08:1 against white and 2.96:1 against black. Use the card with the higher ratio for body text.

The quick brown fox
Brown on white7.08:1AAA
The quick brown fox
Brown on black2.96:1Fail
The quick brown fox
White on Brown7.08:1AAA
The quick brown fox
Black on Brown2.96:1Fail

Brown — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for Brown?+
The hex code for Brown is #A52A2A. In RGB it's rgb(165, 42, 42), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 59%, 41%).
What is the RGB value of Brown?+
Brown in RGB is (165, 42, 42). Written in CSS: rgb(165, 42, 42).
What is the CMYK value of Brown?+
Brown converts to CMYK(0%, 75%, 75%, 35%) for print. Hex equivalent is #A52A2A.
Is brown a warm or cool color?+
Brown (#A52A2A) is a warm red — its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, placing it in the warm part of the spectrum.
What color family does brown belong to?+
Brown belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 0°, 59%, 41% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
Is brown accessible for body text on a white background?+
Brown on white reaches a WCAG contrast ratio of 7.08:1 — passes WCAG AAA for body text on white.
What is the closest Pantone match for brown?+
The nearest Pantone match for Brown (#A52A2A) is 7622 C Venetian Red, calculated by Euclidean RGB distance over the Pantone Matching System.

How to use Brown in design

Practical guidance for using brown (#A52A2A) across four design contexts, derived from its hue, lightness, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

Web & UI design

Use Brown (#A52A2A) as primary text or icon color on white backgrounds — at 7.1:1 contrast it passes WCAG AAA for body copy. Avoid placing brown text on dark surfaces; the contrast drops below the AA threshold.

Branding & identity

As a brand color, Brown (#A52A2A) reads as balanced and approachable and versatile across product tiers. It fits naturally into food, alerts, sports, romance, energy drinks. Pair it with a higher-contrast accent (warm if red runs cool, cool if it runs warm) for visual hierarchy. Test legibility on both your logo and small UI text before locking it in — saturation that works on a 200px logo can feel overpowering at favicon scale.

Fashion & apparel

Brown flatters warm-leaning skin tones (golden, peach, olive undertones) and works well in spring/summer collections. It pairs naturally with warm neutrals (cream, camel, brown, olive) and contrasts effectively with denim or navy. As an accent piece — scarf, bag, shoes — brown can carry an entire neutral outfit; as a head-to-toe color it can overwhelm and is best reserved for evening or statement pieces.

Interior design

Brown works as either a primary wall color or a strong accent — versatile across most rooms. As a wall color it pairs with white trim and warm wood; as an accent (sofa, chair, large art) it lifts a neutral room without overwhelming it. Test a large swatch against your room's natural light at three times of day before committing — mid-tone colors shift more than light or dark colors do.

Brands that use Brown

Major brands whose official palette contains a color within ~30 RGB units of brown (#A52A2A). Click through for the full brand color guide.

Gucci#9B1A1A · Gucci Red