The main difference between Charcoal and Burgundy is hue — Charcoal is a cool blue, while Burgundy is a warm red. Charcoal and Burgundy are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Charcoal (#36454F) and Burgundy (#800020) 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.
Burgundy is more saturated (100% HSL vs 19%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Charcoal can feel washed out when printed small.
Burgundy hits a 10.83:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Charcoal only reaches 9.90:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Burgundy is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Charcoal leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Charcoal is the more muted of the two (19% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Burgundy's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Charcoal (#36454F) is a dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.
Burgundy (#800020) is a dark, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
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.
Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.