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Copper vs Apricot: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Copper and Apricot is brightness and saturation: both are orange shades, but Apricot is lighter and Apricot is more saturated. Copper (#B87333) has an HSL of 29°, 57%, 46%, whereas Apricot (#FBCEB1) sits at 24°, 90%, 84%.

Copper#B87333
Apricot#FBCEB1
#B87333Blended: #DAA172#FBCEB1
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Copper vs Apricot: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Copper Apricot
BrightnessMedium (L=46%) — balanced, versatileVery light (L=84%) — pale, delicate, gentle
SaturationModerately saturated (S=57%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=90%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyOrangeOrange
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#B87333#FBCEB1
RGB184, 115, 51251, 206, 177

Can you use Copper and Apricot together?

Apricot text on Copper
Copper text on Apricot
Contrast Ratio:2.63:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Copper and Apricot Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Apricot is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Apricot looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Copper or Apricot: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickApricot

Apricot is more saturated (90% HSL vs 57%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Copper can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickCopper

Copper hits a 3.79:1 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
PickApricot

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickCopper

Copper is the more muted of the two (57% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Apricot's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Copper vs Apricot in Design

Use Copper for:
●Call-to-action buttons
●Autumn and harvest themes
●Food, citrus, warmth branding
●Youthful energetic campaigns
●Friendly notification badges
Use Apricot for:
●Call-to-action buttons
●Autumn and harvest themes
●Food, citrus, warmth branding
●Youthful energetic campaigns
●Friendly notification badges

Copper and Apricot Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Copper#B87333

Copper (#B87333) is a medium, moderately saturated orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
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PANTONE
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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
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Copper and Apricot 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
Copper text on white
3.79:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Copper text on black
5.54:1AA
Sample text preview
Apricot text on white
1.44:1Fail
Sample text preview
Apricot text on black
14.57:1AAA
Sample text preview
Copper text on Apricot
2.63:1Fail
Sample text preview
Apricot text on Copper
2.63:1Fail

Explore Copper and Apricot individually

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

Copper color page#B87333 · shades, tints, pairingsApricot color page#FBCEB1 · shades, tints, pairings

More Copper and Apricot Comparisons

TanvsCopperTanvsApricotCoppervsRustApricotvsRoseRustvsCopperApricotvsPinkCoppervsGoldRustvsApricotCoppervsNavyPeruvsApricotCoppervsTealSandvsApricot

Copper vs Apricot FAQ

What is the difference between copper and apricot?+
The main difference between Copper and Apricot is brightness and saturation: both are orange shades, but Apricot is lighter and Apricot is more saturated. Copper (#B87333) has an HSL of 29°, 57%, 46%, whereas Apricot (#FBCEB1) sits at 24°, 90%, 84%.
Is copper darker than apricot?+
Yes. Copper is darker, with a lightness of 46% in HSL compared to Apricot at 84% — a 38-point gap.
Are copper and apricot the same color?+
No. Copper is #B87333 and Apricot is #FBCEB1. They differ by 5° in hue, 38% in lightness, and 33% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, copper or apricot?+
Apricot is more saturated. In HSL, Copper has 57% saturation and Apricot has 90% — Apricot is the more vivid of the two, while Copper reads as more muted.
Is copper warm or cool?+
Copper (#B87333) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 29° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
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.
Can you use copper and apricot together?+
Yes. Both copper and apricot are orange shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use copper as the dominant color and apricot as the accent or highlight.
What color family does copper belong to?+
Copper belongs to the orange family. Its HSL is 29°, 57%, 46% — a warm tone within the broader orange group.
What is the hex code for copper?+
The hex code for Copper is #B87333. In RGB, that's rgb(184, 115, 51), and in HSL it's hsl(29, 57%, 46%).
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%).