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Apricot vs Pink: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Apricot and Pink is hue — Apricot is a warm orange, while Pink is a warm red. Apricot and Pink are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Apricot (#FBCEB1) and Pink (#FFC0CB) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Apricot#FBCEB1
Pink#FFC0CB
#FBCEB1Blended: #FDC7BE#FFC0CB
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Apricot vs Pink: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Apricot Pink
BrightnessVery light (L=84%) — pale, delicate, gentleVery light (L=88%) — pale, delicate, gentle
SaturationVivid (S=90%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyOrangeRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FBCEB1#FFC0CB
RGB251, 206, 177255, 192, 203

Can you use Apricot and Pink together?

Pink text on Apricot
Apricot text on Pink
Contrast Ratio:1.07:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Apricot and Pink Apart

  • Check saturation: Pink looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 326° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Apricot or Pink: Which to Use and Where

Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

Branding & logos
PickPink

Pink is more saturated (100% HSL vs 90%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Apricot can feel washed out when printed small.

Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickPink

Pink hits a 1.54:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Apricot only reaches 1.44:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

Fashion & apparel
PickPink

Pink is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Apricot leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

Interior design & walls
PickApricot

Apricot is the more muted of the two (90% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Pink's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Apricot vs Pink in Design

Use Apricot for:
Call-to-action buttons
Autumn and harvest themes
Food, citrus, warmth branding
Youthful energetic campaigns
Friendly notification badges
Use Pink for:
Alerts, errors, stop states
Sale & promotion banners
Food and beverage packaging
Sports and energy branding
Romantic & bold fashion

Apricot and Pink Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Apricot#FBCEB1

Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a very light, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Pink#FFC0CB

Pink (#FFC0CB) is a very light, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Apricot and Pink WCAG Contrast Ratios

Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.

Sample text preview
Apricot text on white
1.44:1Fail
Sample text preview
Apricot text on black
14.57:1AAA
Sample text preview
Pink text on white
1.54:1Fail
Sample text preview
Pink text on black
13.65:1AAA
Sample text preview
Apricot text on Pink
1.07:1Fail
Sample text preview
Pink text on Apricot
1.07:1Fail

Explore Apricot and Pink individually

Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.

Apricot color page#FBCEB1 · shades, tints, pairingsPink color page#FFC0CB · shades, tints, pairings

More Apricot and Pink Comparisons

Apricot vs Pink FAQ

What is the difference between apricot and pink?+
The main difference between Apricot and Pink is hue — Apricot is a warm orange, while Pink is a warm red. Apricot and Pink are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Apricot (#FBCEB1) and Pink (#FFC0CB) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is apricot darker than pink?+
Yes. Apricot is darker, with a lightness of 84% in HSL compared to Pink at 88% — a 4-point gap.
Are apricot and pink the same color?+
No. Apricot is #FBCEB1 and Pink is #FFC0CB. They differ by 34° in hue, 4% in lightness, and 10% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, apricot or pink?+
Pink is more saturated. In HSL, Apricot has 90% saturation and Pink has 100% — Pink is the more vivid of the two, while Apricot reads as more muted.
Is apricot warm or cool?+
Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 24° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is pink warm or cool?+
Pink (#FFC0CB) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 350° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use apricot and pink together?+
Yes. Apricot (orange) and Pink (red) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does apricot belong to?+
Apricot belongs to the orange family. Its HSL is 24°, 90%, 84% — a warm tone within the broader orange group.
What is the hex code for apricot?+
The hex code for Apricot is #FBCEB1. In RGB, that's rgb(251, 206, 177), and in HSL it's hsl(24, 90%, 84%).
What is the hex code for pink?+
The hex code for Pink is #FFC0CB. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 192, 203), and in HSL it's hsl(350, 100%, 88%).