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Burgundy vs Espresso: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Burgundy and Espresso is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Burgundy is lighter and Burgundy is more saturated. Burgundy (#800020) has an HSL of 345°, 100%, 25%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.

Burgundy#800020
Espresso#3C1414
#800020Blended: #5E0A1A#3C1414

Burgundy vs Espresso: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Burgundy Espresso
BrightnessDark (L=25%) — rich, serious, substantialVery dark (L=16%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=50%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#800020#3C1414
RGB128, 0, 3260, 20, 20

Can you use Burgundy and Espresso together?

Espresso text on Burgundy
Burgundy text on Espresso
Contrast Ratio:1.49:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Burgundy and Espresso Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Burgundy is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Burgundy looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 345° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Burgundy vs Espresso in Design

Use Burgundy for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion
Use Espresso for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion

Burgundy and Espresso Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Burgundy#800020

Burgundy (#800020) is a dark, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

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HSV
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PANTONE
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Espresso#3C1414

Espresso (#3C1414) is a very dark, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Burgundy and Espresso 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
Burgundy text on white
10.83:1AAA
Sample text preview
Burgundy text on black
1.94:1Fail
Sample text preview
Espresso text on white
16.13:1AAA
Sample text preview
Espresso text on black
1.3:1Fail
Sample text preview
Burgundy text on Espresso
1.49:1Fail
Sample text preview
Espresso text on Burgundy
1.49:1Fail

Explore Burgundy and Espresso individually

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

Burgundy color page#800020 · shades, tints, pairingsEspresso color page#3C1414 · shades, tints, pairings

More Burgundy and Espresso Comparisons

RedvsBurgundyRedvsEspressoWinevsBurgundyWinevsEspressoBurgundyvsWineRubyvsEspressoBurgundyvsPlumEspressovsGreyNavyvsBurgundyRustvsEspressoRubyvsBurgundyEspressovsBlack

Burgundy vs Espresso FAQ

What is the difference between burgundy and espresso?+
The main difference between Burgundy and Espresso is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Burgundy is lighter and Burgundy is more saturated. Burgundy (#800020) has an HSL of 345°, 100%, 25%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.
Is burgundy darker than espresso?+
No. Espresso is the darker of the two at 16% lightness, while Burgundy sits higher at 25%.
Are burgundy and espresso the same color?+
No. Burgundy is #800020 and Espresso is #3C1414. They differ by 15° in hue, 9% in lightness, and 50% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, burgundy or espresso?+
Burgundy is more saturated. In HSL, Burgundy has 100% saturation and Espresso has 50% — Burgundy is the more vivid of the two, while Espresso reads as more muted.
Is burgundy warm or cool?+
Burgundy (#800020) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 345° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is espresso warm or cool?+
Espresso (#3C1414) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use burgundy and espresso together?+
Yes. Both burgundy and espresso are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use espresso as the dominant color and burgundy as the accent or highlight.
What color family does burgundy belong to?+
Burgundy belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 345°, 100%, 25% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
What is the hex code for burgundy?+
The hex code for Burgundy is #800020. In RGB, that's rgb(128, 0, 32), and in HSL it's hsl(345, 100%, 25%).
What is the hex code for espresso?+
The hex code for Espresso is #3C1414. In RGB, that's rgb(60, 20, 20), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 50%, 16%).