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Scarlet vs Ochre: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Scarlet and Ochre is hue — Scarlet is a warm red, while Ochre is a warm orange. Scarlet (#FF2400) has an HSL of 8°, 100%, 50%, whereas Ochre (#CC7722) sits at 30°, 71%, 47%.

Scarlet#FF2400
Ochre#CC7722
#FF2400Blended: #E64E11#CC7722

Scarlet vs Ochre: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Scarlet Ochre
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=47%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=71%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyRedOrange
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FF2400#CC7722
RGB255, 36, 0204, 119, 34

Can you use Scarlet and Ochre together?

Ochre text on Scarlet
Scarlet text on Ochre
Contrast Ratio:1.13:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Scarlet and Ochre Apart

  • Check saturation: Scarlet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 22° 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 Scarlet vs Ochre in Design

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

Scarlet and Ochre 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
Ochre#CC7722

Ochre (#CC7722) is a medium, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Scarlet and Ochre 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
Ochre text on white
3.37:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Ochre text on black
6.23:1AA
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Ochre
1.13:1Fail
Sample text preview
Ochre text on Scarlet
1.13:1Fail

Explore Scarlet and Ochre individually

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

Scarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairingsOchre color page#CC7722 · shades, tints, pairings

More Scarlet and Ochre Comparisons

Scarlet vs Ochre FAQ

What is the difference between scarlet and ochre?+
The main difference between Scarlet and Ochre is hue — Scarlet is a warm red, while Ochre is a warm orange. Scarlet (#FF2400) has an HSL of 8°, 100%, 50%, whereas Ochre (#CC7722) sits at 30°, 71%, 47%.
Is scarlet darker than ochre?+
No. Ochre is the darker of the two at 47% lightness, while Scarlet sits higher at 50%.
Are scarlet and ochre the same color?+
No. Scarlet is #FF2400 and Ochre is #CC7722. They differ by 22° in hue, 3% in lightness, and 29% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, scarlet or ochre?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Scarlet has 100% saturation and Ochre has 71% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Ochre 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 ochre warm or cool?+
Ochre (#CC7722) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 30° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use scarlet and ochre together?+
Yes. Scarlet (red) and Ochre (orange) 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 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 ochre?+
The hex code for Ochre is #CC7722. In RGB, that's rgb(204, 119, 34), and in HSL it's hsl(30, 71%, 47%).