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Scarlet vs Brick: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Scarlet and Brick is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but they share similar brightness and Scarlet is more saturated. Scarlet and Brick are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Brick (#CB4154) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Scarlet#FF2400
Brick#CB4154
#FF2400Blended: #E5332A#CB4154
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Scarlet vs Brick: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Scarlet Brick
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=53%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=57%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FF2400#CB4154
RGB255, 36, 0203, 65, 84

Can you use Scarlet and Brick together?

Brick text on Scarlet
Scarlet text on Brick
Contrast Ratio:1.24:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Scarlet and Brick Apart

  • ●Check saturation: Scarlet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 344° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Scarlet or Brick: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickScarlet

Scarlet is more saturated (100% HSL vs 57%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Brick can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickBrick

Brick hits a 4.75:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Scarlet only reaches 3.82:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickBrick

Brick is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Scarlet leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

▣Interior design & walls
PickBrick

Brick is the more muted of the two (57% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Scarlet's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Scarlet vs Brick in Design

Use Scarlet for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion
Use Brick for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion

Scarlet and Brick Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Scarlet#FF2400

Scarlet (#FF2400) is a medium, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Brick#CB4154

Brick (#CB4154) is a medium, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Scarlet and Brick 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
Scarlet text on white
3.82:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on black
5.5:1AA
Sample text preview
Brick text on white
4.75:1AA
Sample text preview
Brick text on black
4.42:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Brick
1.24:1Fail
Sample text preview
Brick text on Scarlet
1.24:1Fail

Explore Scarlet and Brick individually

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

Scarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairings

More Scarlet and Brick Comparisons

RedvsScarletRedvsBrickScarletvsRubyRubyvsBrickScarletvsWineBrickvsWineRustvsScarletTomatovsBrickScarletvsGreyBrickvsCherryGrayvsScarletBrickvsMaroon

Scarlet vs Brick FAQ

What is the difference between scarlet and brick?+
The main difference between Scarlet and Brick is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but they share similar brightness and Scarlet is more saturated. Scarlet and Brick are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Brick (#CB4154) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is scarlet darker than brick?+
Yes. Scarlet is darker, with a lightness of 50% in HSL compared to Brick at 53% — a 3-point gap.
Are scarlet and brick the same color?+
No. Scarlet is #FF2400 and Brick is #CB4154. They differ by 16° in hue, 3% in lightness, and 43% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, scarlet or brick?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Scarlet has 100% saturation and Brick has 57% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Brick reads as more muted.
Is scarlet warm or cool?+
Scarlet (#FF2400) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 8° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is brick warm or cool?+
Brick (#CB4154) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 352° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use scarlet and brick together?+
Yes. Both scarlet and brick are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use scarlet as the dominant color and brick as the accent or highlight.
What color family does scarlet belong to?+
Scarlet belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 8°, 100%, 50% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
What is the hex code for scarlet?+
The hex code for Scarlet is #FF2400. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 36, 0), and in HSL it's hsl(8, 100%, 50%).
What is the hex code for brick?+
The hex code for Brick is #CB4154. In RGB, that's rgb(203, 65, 84), and in HSL it's hsl(352, 57%, 53%).