The main difference between Crimson and Raspberry is hue — Crimson is a warm red, while Raspberry is a warm pink. Crimson and Raspberry are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Crimson (#DC143C) and Raspberry (#E30B5C) 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.
Raspberry is more saturated (91% HSL vs 83%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Crimson can feel washed out when printed small.
Crimson hits a 4.99:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Raspberry only reaches 4.70:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Crimson is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Raspberry leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Crimson is the more muted of the two (83% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Raspberry's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Crimson (#DC143C) is a medium, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Raspberry (#E30B5C) is a medium, vivid pink with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile 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.