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Firebrick vs Espresso: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Firebrick and Espresso is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Firebrick is lighter and Firebrick is more saturated. Firebrick (#B22222) has an HSL of 0°, 68%, 42%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.

Firebrick#B22222
Espresso#3C1414
#B22222Blended: #771B1B#3C1414
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Firebrick vs Espresso: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Firebrick Espresso
BrightnessMedium (L=42%) — balanced, versatileVery dark (L=16%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationModerately saturated (S=68%) — balanced in intensityModerately saturated (S=50%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#B22222#3C1414
RGB178, 34, 3460, 20, 20

Can you use Firebrick and Espresso together?

Espresso text on Firebrick
Firebrick text on Espresso
Contrast Ratio:2.41:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Firebrick and Espresso Apart

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

Firebrick or Espresso: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickFirebrick

Firebrick is more saturated (68% HSL vs 50%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Espresso can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickEspresso

Espresso hits a 16.13:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Firebrick only reaches 6.68:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickFirebrick

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickEspresso

Espresso is the more muted of the two (50% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Firebrick's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Firebrick vs Espresso in Design

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

Firebrick and Espresso Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Firebrick#B22222

Firebrick (#B22222) is a medium, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
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

Firebrick and Espresso 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
Firebrick text on white
6.68:1AA
Sample text preview
Firebrick text on black
3.14:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Espresso text on white
16.13:1AAA
Sample text preview
Espresso text on black
1.3:1Fail
Sample text preview
Firebrick text on Espresso
2.41:1Fail
Sample text preview
Espresso text on Firebrick
2.41:1Fail

Explore Firebrick and Espresso individually

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

Firebrick color page#B22222 · shades, tints, pairingsEspresso color page#3C1414 · shades, tints, pairings

More Firebrick and Espresso Comparisons

FirebrickvsWineRedvsEspressoFirebrickvsRubyWinevsEspressoFirebrickvsGreyRubyvsEspressoFirebrickvsGarnetEspressovsGreyFirebrickvsScarletRustvsEspressoEspressovsBlackBrownvsEspresso

Firebrick vs Espresso FAQ

What is the difference between firebrick and espresso?+
The main difference between Firebrick and Espresso is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Firebrick is lighter and Firebrick is more saturated. Firebrick (#B22222) has an HSL of 0°, 68%, 42%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.
Is firebrick darker than espresso?+
No. Espresso is the darker of the two at 16% lightness, while Firebrick sits higher at 42%.
Are firebrick and espresso the same color?+
No. Firebrick is #B22222 and Espresso is #3C1414. They differ by 0° in hue, 26% in lightness, and 18% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, firebrick or espresso?+
Firebrick is more saturated. In HSL, Firebrick has 68% saturation and Espresso has 50% — Firebrick is the more vivid of the two, while Espresso reads as more muted.
Is firebrick warm or cool?+
Firebrick (#B22222) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
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.
Can you use firebrick and espresso together?+
Yes. Both firebrick and espresso are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use espresso as the dominant color and firebrick as the accent or highlight.
What color family does firebrick belong to?+
Firebrick belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 0°, 68%, 42% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
What is the hex code for firebrick?+
The hex code for Firebrick is #B22222. In RGB, that's rgb(178, 34, 34), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 68%, 42%).
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%).