The main difference between Scarlet and Tomato is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Tomato is lighter. Scarlet and Tomato are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Tomato (#FF6347) 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 Tomato can feel washed out when printed small.
Scarlet hits a 3.82:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Tomato only reaches 2.95:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Tomato 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.
Scarlet is the more muted of the two (100% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Tomato'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.
Tomato (#FF6347) is a light, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable 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.