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Sienna vs Scarlet: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Sienna and Scarlet is hue — Sienna is a warm orange, while Scarlet is a warm red. Sienna (#A0522D) has an HSL of 19°, 56%, 40%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.

Sienna#A0522D
Scarlet#FF2400
#A0522DBlended: #D03B17#FF2400

Sienna vs Scarlet: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Sienna Scarlet
BrightnessMedium (L=40%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationModerately saturated (S=56%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyOrangeRed
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#A0522D#FF2400
RGB160, 82, 45255, 36, 0

Can you use Sienna and Scarlet together?

Scarlet text on Sienna
Sienna text on Scarlet
Contrast Ratio:1.47:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Sienna and Scarlet Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Scarlet is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Scarlet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 11° 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 Sienna vs Scarlet in Design

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

Sienna and Scarlet Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Sienna#A0522D

Sienna (#A0522D) is a medium, moderately saturated orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

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HSV
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PANTONE
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Scarlet#FF2400

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

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RGB
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HSV
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Sienna and Scarlet 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
Sienna text on white
5.62:1AA
Sample text preview
Sienna text on black
3.74:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on white
3.82:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on black
5.5:1AA
Sample text preview
Sienna text on Scarlet
1.47:1Fail
Sample text preview
Scarlet text on Sienna
1.47:1Fail

Explore Sienna and Scarlet individually

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

Sienna color page#A0522D · shades, tints, pairingsScarlet color page#FF2400 · shades, tints, pairings

More Sienna and Scarlet Comparisons

Sienna vs Scarlet FAQ

What is the difference between sienna and scarlet?+
The main difference between Sienna and Scarlet is hue — Sienna is a warm orange, while Scarlet is a warm red. Sienna (#A0522D) has an HSL of 19°, 56%, 40%, whereas Scarlet (#FF2400) sits at 8°, 100%, 50%.
Is sienna darker than scarlet?+
Yes. Sienna is darker, with a lightness of 40% in HSL compared to Scarlet at 50% — a 10-point gap.
Are sienna and scarlet the same color?+
No. Sienna is #A0522D and Scarlet is #FF2400. They differ by 11° in hue, 10% in lightness, and 44% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, sienna or scarlet?+
Scarlet is more saturated. In HSL, Sienna has 56% saturation and Scarlet has 100% — Scarlet is the more vivid of the two, while Sienna reads as more muted.
Is sienna warm or cool?+
Sienna (#A0522D) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 19° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
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.
Can you use sienna and scarlet together?+
Yes. Sienna (orange) and Scarlet (red) 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 sienna belong to?+
Sienna belongs to the orange family. Its HSL is 19°, 56%, 40% — a warm tone within the broader orange group.
What is the hex code for sienna?+
The hex code for Sienna is #A0522D. In RGB, that's rgb(160, 82, 45), and in HSL it's hsl(19, 56%, 40%).
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%).