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Burgundy vs Plum: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Burgundy and Plum is hue — Burgundy is a warm red, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Burgundy and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Burgundy (#800020) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Burgundy#800020
Plum#DDA0DD
#800020Blended: #AF507F#DDA0DD
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Burgundy vs Plum: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Burgundy Plum
BrightnessDark (L=25%) — rich, serious, substantialLight (L=75%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=47%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedMagenta
TemperatureWarmWarm-leaning
Hex code#800020#DDA0DD
RGB128, 0, 32221, 160, 221

Can you use Burgundy and Plum together?

Plum text on Burgundy
Burgundy text on Plum
Contrast Ratio:5.23:1WCAG AA Pass ✓

How to Tell Burgundy and Plum Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Plum is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Burgundy looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 45° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Burgundy or Plum: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickBurgundy

Burgundy is more saturated (100% HSL vs 47%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Plum can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickBurgundy

Burgundy hits a 10.83:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Plum only reaches 2.07:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickPlum

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickPlum

Plum is the more muted of the two (47% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Burgundy's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Burgundy vs Plum in Design

Use Burgundy for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion
Use Plum for:
●Bold fashion and beauty
●Youthful music and events
●Pride and celebration
●Creative tech startups
●High-energy marketing

Burgundy and Plum 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.

HEX
RGB
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HSV
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PANTONE
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Plum#DDA0DD

Plum (#DDA0DD) is a light, moderately saturated magenta with a warm-leaning undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
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PANTONE
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Burgundy and Plum 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
Plum text on white
2.07:1Fail
Sample text preview
Plum text on black
10.15:1AAA
Sample text preview
Burgundy text on Plum
5.23:1AA
Sample text preview
Plum text on Burgundy
5.23:1AA

Explore Burgundy and Plum individually

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

Burgundy color page#800020 · shades, tints, pairingsPlum color page#DDA0DD · shades, tints, pairings

More Burgundy and Plum Comparisons

RedvsBurgundyMauvevsPlumWinevsBurgundyPlumvsGrapeBurgundyvsWineGrapevsPlumPlumvsLilacNavyvsBurgundyPlumvsPurpleRubyvsBurgundyPurplevsPlumPlumvsBurgundy

Burgundy vs Plum FAQ

What is the difference between burgundy and plum?+
The main difference between Burgundy and Plum is hue — Burgundy is a warm red, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Burgundy and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Burgundy (#800020) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is burgundy darker than plum?+
Yes. Burgundy is darker, with a lightness of 25% in HSL compared to Plum at 75% — a 50-point gap.
Are burgundy and plum the same color?+
No. Burgundy is #800020 and Plum is #DDA0DD. They differ by 45° in hue, 50% in lightness, and 53% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, burgundy or plum?+
Burgundy is more saturated. In HSL, Burgundy has 100% saturation and Plum has 47% — Burgundy is the more vivid of the two, while Plum 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 plum warm or cool?+
Plum (#DDA0DD) is a warm-leaning magenta. Its hue sits at 300° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm-leaning range.
Can you use burgundy and plum together?+
Yes. Burgundy (red) and Plum (magenta) 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 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 plum?+
The hex code for Plum is #DDA0DD. In RGB, that's rgb(221, 160, 221), and in HSL it's hsl(300, 47%, 75%).