Home /Compare /Peru vs Terracotta

Peru vs Terracotta: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Peru and Terracotta is hue — Peru is a warm orange, while Terracotta is a warm red. Peru (#CD853F) has an HSL of 30°, 59%, 53%, whereas Terracotta (#E2725B) sits at 10°, 70%, 62%.

Peru#CD853F
Terracotta#E2725B
#CD853FBlended: #D87C4D#E2725B

Peru vs Terracotta: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Peru Terracotta
BrightnessMedium (L=53%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=62%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationModerately saturated (S=59%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=70%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyOrangeRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#CD853F#E2725B
RGB205, 133, 63226, 114, 91

Can you use Peru and Terracotta together?

Terracotta text on Peru
Peru text on Terracotta
Contrast Ratio:1.03:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Peru and Terracotta Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Terracotta is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Terracotta looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 20° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Peru vs Terracotta in Design

Use Peru for:
Call-to-action buttons
Autumn and harvest themes
Food, citrus, warmth branding
Youthful energetic campaigns
Friendly notification badges
Use Terracotta for:
Alerts, errors, stop states
Sale & promotion banners
Food and beverage packaging
Sports and energy branding
Romantic & bold fashion

Peru and Terracotta Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Peru#CD853F

Peru (#CD853F) is a medium, moderately saturated orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

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RGB
HSL
HSV
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PANTONE
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Terracotta#E2725B

Terracotta (#E2725B) is a light, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
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PANTONE
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Peru and Terracotta 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
Peru text on white
2.99:1Fail
Sample text preview
Peru text on black
7.02:1AAA
Sample text preview
Terracotta text on white
3.09:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Terracotta text on black
6.79:1AA
Sample text preview
Peru text on Terracotta
1.03:1Fail
Sample text preview
Terracotta text on Peru
1.03:1Fail

Explore Peru and Terracotta individually

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

Peru color page#CD853F · shades, tints, pairingsTerracotta color page#E2725B · shades, tints, pairings

More Peru and Terracotta Comparisons

Peru vs Terracotta FAQ

What is the difference between peru and terracotta?+
The main difference between Peru and Terracotta is hue — Peru is a warm orange, while Terracotta is a warm red. Peru (#CD853F) has an HSL of 30°, 59%, 53%, whereas Terracotta (#E2725B) sits at 10°, 70%, 62%.
Is peru darker than terracotta?+
Yes. Peru is darker, with a lightness of 53% in HSL compared to Terracotta at 62% — a 9-point gap.
Are peru and terracotta the same color?+
No. Peru is #CD853F and Terracotta is #E2725B. They differ by 20° in hue, 9% in lightness, and 11% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, peru or terracotta?+
Terracotta is more saturated. In HSL, Peru has 59% saturation and Terracotta has 70% — Terracotta is the more vivid of the two, while Peru reads as more muted.
Is peru warm or cool?+
Peru (#CD853F) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 30° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is terracotta warm or cool?+
Terracotta (#E2725B) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 10° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use peru and terracotta together?+
Yes. Peru (orange) and Terracotta (red) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does peru belong to?+
Peru belongs to the orange family. Its HSL is 30°, 59%, 53% — a warm tone within the broader orange group.
What is the hex code for peru?+
The hex code for Peru is #CD853F. In RGB, that's rgb(205, 133, 63), and in HSL it's hsl(30, 59%, 53%).
What is the hex code for terracotta?+
The hex code for Terracotta is #E2725B. In RGB, that's rgb(226, 114, 91), and in HSL it's hsl(10, 70%, 62%).