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Firebrick vs Scarlet: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Firebrick and Scarlet is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Firebrick (#B22222) has an HSL of 0°, 68%, 42%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.

Firebrick#B22222
Scarlet#FF2400
#B22222Blended: #D92311#FF2400

Firebrick vs Scarlet: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Firebrick Scarlet
BrightnessMedium (L=42%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationModerately saturated (S=68%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#B22222#FF2400
RGB178, 34, 34255, 36, 0

Can you use Firebrick and Scarlet together?

Scarlet text on Firebrick
Firebrick text on Scarlet
Contrast Ratio:1.75:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Firebrick 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 Firebrick vs Scarlet in Design

Use Firebrick 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

Firebrick and Scarlet 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
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

Firebrick 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
Firebrick text on white
6.68:1AA
Sample text preview
Firebrick text on black
3.14:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on white
3.82:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on black
5.5:1AA
Sample text preview
Firebrick text on Scarlet
1.75:1Fail
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Firebrick
1.75:1Fail

Explore Firebrick and Scarlet individually

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

Firebrick color page#B22222 · shades, tints, pairingsScarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairings

More Firebrick and Scarlet Comparisons

FirebrickvsWineRedvsScarletFirebrickvsRubyScarletvsRubyFirebrickvsGreyScarletvsWineFirebrickvsGarnetRustvsScarletScarletvsGreyFirebrickvsEspressoGrayvsScarletScarletvsBrick

Firebrick vs Scarlet FAQ

What is the difference between firebrick and scarlet?+
The main difference between Firebrick and Scarlet is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Firebrick (#B22222) has an HSL of 0°, 68%, 42%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.
Is firebrick darker than scarlet?+
Yes. Firebrick is darker, with a lightness of 42% in HSL compared to Scarlet at 50% — a 8-point gap.
Are firebrick and scarlet the same color?+
No. Firebrick is #B22222 and Scarlet is #FF2400. They differ by 8° in hue, 8% in lightness, and 32% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, firebrick or scarlet?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Firebrick has 68% saturation and Scarlet has 100% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Firebrick 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 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 firebrick and scarlet together?+
Yes. Both firebrick and scarlet are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use firebrick as the dominant color and scarlet 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 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%).