The main difference between Mahogany and Chestnut is hue — Mahogany is a warm orange, while Chestnut is a warm red. Mahogany and Chestnut are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Mahogany (#C04000) and Chestnut (#954535) 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.
Mahogany is more saturated (100% HSL vs 48%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Chestnut can feel washed out when printed small.
Chestnut hits a 6.60:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Mahogany only reaches 5.28:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Chestnut is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Mahogany leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Chestnut is the more muted of the two (48% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Mahogany's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Mahogany (#C04000) is a dark, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Chestnut (#954535) is a medium, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.
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.