The main difference between Salmon and Apricot is hue — Salmon is a warm red, while Apricot is a warm orange. Salmon and Apricot are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Salmon (#FA8072) and Apricot (#FBCEB1) 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.
Salmon is more saturated (93% HSL vs 90%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Apricot can feel washed out when printed small.
Salmon hits a 2.50:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Apricot only reaches 1.44:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Apricot is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Salmon leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Apricot is the more muted of the two (90% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Salmon's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Salmon (#FA8072) is a light, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a very light, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
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.
Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.