The main difference between Carmine and Brick is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Brick is lighter and Carmine is more saturated. Carmine and Brick are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Carmine (#960018) and Brick (#CB4154) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.
Carmine is more saturated (100% HSL vs 57%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Brick can feel washed out when printed small.
Carmine hits a 9.09:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Brick only reaches 4.75:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Brick is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Carmine leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Brick is the more muted of the two (57% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Carmine's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Carmine (#960018) is a dark, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Brick (#CB4154) is a medium, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.
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.