Home /Compare /Copper vs Scarlet

Copper vs Scarlet: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Copper and Scarlet is hue — Copper is a warm orange, while Scarlet is a warm red. Copper (#B87333) has an HSL of 29°, 57%, 46%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.

Copper#B87333
Scarlet#FF2400
#B87333Blended: #DC4C1A#FF2400

Copper vs Scarlet: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Copper Scarlet
BrightnessMedium (L=46%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationModerately saturated (S=57%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyOrangeRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#B87333#FF2400
RGB184, 115, 51255, 36, 0

Can you use Copper and Scarlet together?

Scarlet text on Copper
Copper text on Scarlet
Contrast Ratio:1.01:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Copper and Scarlet Apart

  • Check saturation: Scarlet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 21° 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 Copper vs Scarlet in Design

Use Copper for:
Call-to-action buttons
Autumn and harvest themes
Food, citrus, warmth branding
Youthful energetic campaigns
Friendly notification badges
Use Scarlet for:
Alerts, errors, stop states
Sale & promotion banners
Food and beverage packaging
Sports and energy branding
Romantic & bold fashion

Copper and Scarlet 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
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Scarlet#FF2400

Scarlet (#FF2400) is a medium, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Copper and Scarlet 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
Scarlet text on white
3.82:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on black
5.5:1AA
Sample text preview
Copper text on Scarlet
1.01:1Fail
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Copper
1.01:1Fail

Explore Copper and Scarlet individually

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

Copper color page#B87333 · shades, tints, pairingsScarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairings

More Copper and Scarlet Comparisons

Copper vs Scarlet FAQ

What is the difference between copper and scarlet?+
The main difference between Copper and Scarlet is hue — Copper is a warm orange, while Scarlet is a warm red. Copper (#B87333) has an HSL of 29°, 57%, 46%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.
Is copper darker than scarlet?+
Yes. Copper is darker, with a lightness of 46% in HSL compared to Scarlet at 50% — a 4-point gap.
Are copper and scarlet the same color?+
No. Copper is #B87333 and Scarlet is #FF2400. They differ by 21° in hue, 4% in lightness, and 43% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, copper or scarlet?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Copper has 57% saturation and Scarlet has 100% — Scarlet 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 scarlet warm or cool?+
Scarlet (#FF2400) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 8° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use copper and scarlet together?+
Yes. Copper (orange) and Scarlet (red) 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 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 scarlet?+
The hex code for Scarlet is #FF2400. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 36, 0), and in HSL it's hsl(8, 100%, 50%).