Home /Compare /Scarlet vs Wine

Scarlet vs Wine: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Scarlet and Wine is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Scarlet and Wine are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Wine (#722F37) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Scarlet#FF2400
Wine#722F37
#FF2400Blended: #B92A1C#722F37
ShareSave to PinterestTweet

Scarlet vs Wine: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Scarlet Wine
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileDark (L=32%) — rich, serious, substantial
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingModerately saturated (S=42%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyRedRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FF2400#722F37
RGB255, 36, 0114, 47, 55

Can you use Scarlet and Wine together?

Wine text on Scarlet
Scarlet text on Wine
Contrast Ratio:2.53:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Scarlet and Wine Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Scarlet is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Scarlet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 345° 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 Wine: 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 42%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Wine can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickWine

Wine hits a 9.65:1 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
PickScarlet

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickWine

Wine is the more muted of the two (42% 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 Wine in Design

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

Scarlet and Wine 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
Wine#722F37

Wine (#722F37) is a dark, moderately saturated red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Scarlet and Wine 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
Wine text on white
9.65:1AAA
Sample text preview
Wine text on black
2.18:1Fail
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Wine
2.53:1Fail
Sample text preview
Wine text on Scarlet
2.53:1Fail

Explore Scarlet and Wine individually

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

Scarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairingsWine color page#722F37 · shades, tints, pairings

More Scarlet and Wine Comparisons

RedvsScarletRedvsWineScarletvsRubyRubyvsWineRustvsWineRustvsScarletWinevsGreyScarletvsGreyBrickvsWineGrayvsScarletBrownvsWineScarletvsBrick

Scarlet vs Wine FAQ

What is the difference between scarlet and wine?+
The main difference between Scarlet and Wine is brightness and saturation: both are red shades, but Scarlet is lighter and Scarlet is more saturated. Scarlet and Wine are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Scarlet (#FF2400) and Wine (#722F37) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is scarlet darker than wine?+
No. Wine is the darker of the two at 32% lightness, while Scarlet sits higher at 50%.
Are scarlet and wine the same color?+
No. Scarlet is #FF2400 and Wine is #722F37. They differ by 15° in hue, 18% in lightness, and 58% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, scarlet or wine?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Scarlet has 100% saturation and Wine has 42% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Wine 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 wine warm or cool?+
Wine (#722F37) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 353° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use scarlet and wine together?+
Yes. Both scarlet and wine are red shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use wine as the dominant color and scarlet 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 wine?+
The hex code for Wine is #722F37. In RGB, that's rgb(114, 47, 55), and in HSL it's hsl(353, 42%, 32%).