Espresso vs Scarlet: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Espresso and Scarlet is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Espresso (#3C1414) has an HSL of 0°, 50%, 16%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.

Espresso#3C1414

Scarlet#FF2400

#3C1414Blended: #9E1C0A#FF2400

Espresso vs Scarlet: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Espresso Scarlet

BrightnessVery dark (L=16%) — deep, heavy, groundedMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile

SaturationModerately saturated (S=50%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching

Hue familyRedRed

TemperatureWarmWarm

Hex code#3C1414#FF2400

RGB60, 20, 20255, 36, 0

Can you use Espresso and Scarlet together?

Scarlet text on Espresso

Espresso text on Scarlet

Contrast Ratio:4.23:1Large Text Only

How to Tell Espresso and Scarlet Apart

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

When to Use Espresso vs Scarlet in Design

Use Espresso for:

●Alerts, errors, stop states

●Sale & promotion banners

●Food and beverage packaging

●Sports and energy branding

●Romantic & bold fashion

Use Scarlet for:

●Alerts, errors, stop states

●Sale & promotion banners

●Food and beverage packaging

●Sports and energy branding

●Romantic & bold fashion

Espresso and Scarlet Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Espresso#3C1414

Espresso (#3C1414) is a very dark, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded 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

Espresso 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

Espresso text on white

16.13:1AAA

Sample text preview

Espresso text on black

1.3:1Fail

Sample text preview

Scarlet text on white

3.82:1AA Large

Sample text preview

Scarlet text on black

5.5:1AA

Sample text preview

Espresso text on Scarlet

4.23:1AA Large

Sample text preview

Scarlet text on Espresso

4.23:1AA Large

Explore Espresso and Scarlet individually

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

Espresso color page#3C1414 · shades, tints, pairings Scarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairings

More Espresso and Scarlet Comparisons

Espresso vs Scarlet FAQ

What is the difference between espresso and scarlet?+

The main difference between Espresso and Scarlet is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Espresso (#3C1414) has an HSL of 0°, 50%, 16%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.

Is espresso darker than scarlet?+

Yes. Espresso is darker, with a lightness of 16% in HSL compared to Scarlet at 50% — a 34-point gap.

Are espresso and scarlet the same color?+

No. Espresso is #3C1414 and Scarlet is #FF2400. They differ by 8° in hue, 34% in lightness, and 50% in saturation.

Which is more saturated, espresso or scarlet?+

Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Espresso has 50% saturation and Scarlet has 100% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Espresso reads as more muted.

Is espresso warm or cool?+

Espresso (#3C1414) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 0° 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 espresso and scarlet together?+

Yes. Both espresso and scarlet are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use espresso as the dominant color and scarlet as the accent or highlight.

What color family does espresso belong to?+

Espresso belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 0°, 50%, 16% — a warm tone within the broader red group.

What is the hex code for espresso?+

The hex code for Espresso is #3C1414. In RGB, that's rgb(60, 20, 20), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 50%, 16%).

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%).