Home /Compare /Ruby vs Espresso

Ruby vs Espresso: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Ruby and Espresso is hue — Ruby is a warm pink, while Espresso is a warm red. Ruby (#E0115F) has an HSL of 337°, 86%, 47%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.

Ruby#E0115F
Espresso#3C1414
#E0115FBlended: #8E133A#3C1414
ShareSave to PinterestTweet

Ruby vs Espresso: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Ruby Espresso
BrightnessMedium (L=47%) — balanced, versatileVery dark (L=16%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationVivid (S=86%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=50%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyPinkRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#E0115F#3C1414
RGB224, 17, 9560, 20, 20

Can you use Ruby and Espresso together?

Espresso text on Ruby
Ruby text on Espresso
Contrast Ratio:3.39:1Large Text Only

How to Tell Ruby and Espresso Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Ruby is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Ruby looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 337° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Ruby or Espresso: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickRuby

Ruby is more saturated (86% 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 Ruby only reaches 4.76:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickRuby

Ruby 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 Ruby's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Ruby vs Espresso in Design

Use Ruby for:
●Soft feminine branding
●Beauty, skincare, romance
●Valentine's and weddings
●Youthful and playful design
●Gentle friendly UI accents
Use Espresso for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion

Ruby and Espresso Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Ruby#E0115F

Ruby (#E0115F) is a medium, vivid pink with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

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

Ruby 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
Ruby text on white
4.76:1AA
Sample text preview
Ruby text on black
4.41:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Espresso text on white
16.13:1AAA
Sample text preview
Espresso text on black
1.3:1Fail
Sample text preview
Ruby text on Espresso
3.39:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Espresso text on Ruby
3.39:1AA Large

Explore Ruby and Espresso individually

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

Ruby color page#E0115F · shades, tints, pairingsEspresso color page#3C1414 · shades, tints, pairings

More Ruby and Espresso Comparisons

RedvsRubyRedvsEspressoRubyvsWineWinevsEspressoRubyvsGreyRubyvsBrickEspressovsGreyBrownvsRubyRustvsEspressoRubyvsGarnetEspressovsBlackTomatovsRuby

Ruby vs Espresso FAQ

What is the difference between ruby and espresso?+
The main difference between Ruby and Espresso is hue — Ruby is a warm pink, while Espresso is a warm red. Ruby (#E0115F) has an HSL of 337°, 86%, 47%, whereas Espresso (#3C1414) sits at 0°, 50%, 16%.
Is ruby darker than espresso?+
No. Espresso is the darker of the two at 16% lightness, while Ruby sits higher at 47%.
Are ruby and espresso the same color?+
No. Ruby is #E0115F and Espresso is #3C1414. They differ by 23° in hue, 31% in lightness, and 36% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, ruby or espresso?+
Ruby is more saturated. In HSL, Ruby has 86% saturation and Espresso has 50% — Ruby is the more vivid of the two, while Espresso reads as more muted.
Is ruby warm or cool?+
Ruby (#E0115F) is a warm pink. Its hue sits at 337° 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 ruby and espresso together?+
Yes. Ruby (pink) and Espresso (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 ruby belong to?+
Ruby belongs to the pink family. Its HSL is 337°, 86%, 47% — a warm tone within the broader pink group.
What is the hex code for ruby?+
The hex code for Ruby is #E0115F. In RGB, that's rgb(224, 17, 95), and in HSL it's hsl(337, 86%, 47%).
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%).