The main difference between Scarlet and Maroon is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter. Scarlet and Maroon are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Maroon (#800000) 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.
Scarlet is more saturated (100% HSL vs 100%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Maroon can feel washed out when printed small.
Maroon hits a 10.95:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Scarlet only reaches 3.82:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Scarlet is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Maroon leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Scarlet is the more muted of the two (100% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Maroon's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Scarlet (#FF2400) is a medium, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Maroon (#800000) is a dark, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial 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.