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Maroon vs Dark Red

What's the difference? Side-by-side comparison with color codes, shades, and usage guide.

Maroon#800000
Dark Red#8B0000
#800000Blended: #860000#8B0000
Quick Answer

Maroon (#800000) and Dark Red (#8B0000) are similar colors often confused. They differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone, making each better suited for different design contexts.

Key Differences

Aspect Maroon Dark Red
BrightnessDark — feels deep, rich, groundedLight — feels airy, bright, lively
SaturationMuted — more subdued, restrainedVivid — more colorful, eye-catching
WarmthCooler — leans more toward blueWarmer — leans slightly toward green
MoodSophisticated, calm, professionalPlayful, energetic, tropical
Best forCorporate branding, interiors, formal designSummer themes, jewelry, casual/fun design
CSS nameteal (built-in)turquoise (built-in)

Can you use them together?

Dark Red text on Maroon
Maroon text on Dark Red
Contrast Ratio:1.09:1Insufficient Contrast

When to use each

Use Maroon for:
●Corporate websites and branding
●Elegant interior design
●Professional presentations
●Dark-mode friendly UI elements
●Formal event invitations
Use Dark Red for:
●Summer and tropical themes
●Children's products and toys
●Beach and travel branding
●Jewelry and gemstone marketing
●Bright, energetic social media posts

Full Color Details

Maroon#800000

Teal is a deep blue-green color named after the Eurasian teal bird. It's widely used in web design, fashion, and interior decor for its calming, sophisticated quality.

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Dark Red#8B0000

Turquoise is a brighter, more vibrant blue-green named after the gemstone. It's lighter and more energetic than teal, evoking tropical waters, summer, and playfulness.

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FAQ

What is the difference between maroon and dark red?+
Maroon (#800000) and Dark Red (#8B0000) are similar colors often confused. They differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone, making each better suited for different design contexts.
Is maroon darker than dark red?+
Yes. Maroon (#800000) is significantly darker than Dark Red (#8B0000). Maroon has a lightness of 25% in HSL, while Dark Red has 27% lightness.
Can you use maroon and dark red together?+
Yes, they can work well together in a monochromatic or analogous palette since they're both blue-green colors. Their contrast ratio is 1.09:1. Use maroon as the dominant/darker color and dark red as the accent or highlight.
What is the hex code for maroon?+
The hex code for Maroon is #800000. In RGB, that's rgb(128, 0, 0).
What is the hex code for dark red?+
The hex code for Dark Red is #8B0000. In RGB, that's rgb(139, 0, 0).