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Crimson vs Wine: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Crimson and Wine is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Crimson is lighter and Crimson is more saturated. Crimson and Wine are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Crimson (#DC143C) and Wine (#722F37) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Crimson#DC143C
Wine#722F37
#DC143CBlended: #A7223A#722F37
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Crimson vs Wine: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Crimson Wine
BrightnessMedium (L=47%) — balanced, versatileDark (L=32%) — rich, serious, substantial
SaturationVivid (S=83%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=42%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#DC143C#722F37
RGB220, 20, 60114, 47, 55

Can you use Crimson and Wine together?

Wine text on Crimson
Crimson text on Wine
Contrast Ratio:1.93:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Crimson and Wine Apart

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

Crimson or Wine: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickCrimson

Crimson is more saturated (83% HSL vs 42%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Wine can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickWine

Wine hits a 9.65:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Crimson only reaches 4.99:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickCrimson

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickWine

Wine is the more muted of the two (42% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Crimson's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Crimson vs Wine in Design

Use Crimson for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion
Use Wine for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion

Crimson and Wine Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Crimson#DC143C

Crimson (#DC143C) 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
Wine#722F37

Wine (#722F37) is a dark, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Crimson and Wine 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
Crimson text on white
4.99:1AA
Sample text preview
Crimson text on black
4.21:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Wine text on white
9.65:1AAA
Sample text preview
Wine text on black
2.18:1Fail
Sample text preview
Crimson text on Wine
1.93:1Fail
Sample text preview
Wine text on Crimson
1.93:1Fail

Explore Crimson and Wine individually

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

Crimson color page#DC143C · shades, tints, pairingsWine color page#722F37 · shades, tints, pairings

More Crimson and Wine Comparisons

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Crimson vs Wine FAQ

What is the difference between crimson and wine?+
The main difference between Crimson and Wine is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Crimson is lighter and Crimson is more saturated. Crimson and Wine are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Crimson (#DC143C) and Wine (#722F37) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is crimson darker than wine?+
No. Wine is the darker of the two at 32% lightness, while Crimson sits higher at 47%.
Are crimson and wine the same color?+
No. Crimson is #DC143C and Wine is #722F37. They differ by 5° in hue, 15% in lightness, and 41% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, crimson or wine?+
Crimson is more saturated. In HSL, Crimson has 83% saturation and Wine has 42% — Crimson is the more vivid of the two, while Wine reads as more muted.
Is crimson warm or cool?+
Crimson (#DC143C) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 348° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is wine warm or cool?+
Wine (#722F37) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 353° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use crimson and wine together?+
Yes. Both crimson and wine are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use wine as the dominant color and crimson as the accent or highlight.
What color family does crimson belong to?+
Crimson belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 348°, 83%, 47% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
What is the hex code for crimson?+
The hex code for Crimson is #DC143C. In RGB, that's rgb(220, 20, 60), and in HSL it's hsl(348, 83%, 47%).
What is the hex code for wine?+
The hex code for Wine is #722F37. In RGB, that's rgb(114, 47, 55), and in HSL it's hsl(353, 42%, 32%).