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Terracotta vs Apricot: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Terracotta and Apricot is hue — Terracotta is a warm red, while Apricot is a warm orange. Terracotta (#E2725B) has an HSL of 10°, 70%, 62%, whereas Apricot (#FBCEB1) sits at 24°, 90%, 84%.

Terracotta#E2725B
Apricot#FBCEB1
#E2725BBlended: #EFA086#FBCEB1

Terracotta vs Apricot: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Terracotta Apricot
BrightnessLight (L=62%) — airy, soft, approachableVery light (L=84%) — pale, delicate, gentle
SaturationVivid (S=70%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=90%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyRedOrange
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#E2725B#FBCEB1
RGB226, 114, 91251, 206, 177

Can you use Terracotta and Apricot together?

Apricot text on Terracotta
Terracotta text on Apricot
Contrast Ratio:2.14:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Terracotta and Apricot Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Apricot is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Apricot looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 14° 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 Terracotta vs Apricot in Design

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

Terracotta and Apricot Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Terracotta#E2725B

Terracotta (#E2725B) is a light, vivid red with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
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HSV
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PANTONE
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Apricot#FBCEB1

Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a very light, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Terracotta and Apricot 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
Terracotta text on white
3.09:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Terracotta text on black
6.79:1AA
Sample text preview
Apricot text on white
1.44:1Fail
Sample text preview
Apricot text on black
14.57:1AAA
Sample text preview
Terracotta text on Apricot
2.14:1Fail
Sample text preview
Apricot text on Terracotta
2.14:1Fail

Explore Terracotta and Apricot individually

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

Terracotta color page#E2725B · shades, tints, pairingsApricot color page#FBCEB1 · shades, tints, pairings

More Terracotta and Apricot Comparisons

Terracotta vs Apricot FAQ

What is the difference between terracotta and apricot?+
The main difference between Terracotta and Apricot is hue — Terracotta is a warm red, while Apricot is a warm orange. Terracotta (#E2725B) has an HSL of 10°, 70%, 62%, whereas Apricot (#FBCEB1) sits at 24°, 90%, 84%.
Is terracotta darker than apricot?+
Yes. Terracotta is darker, with a lightness of 62% in HSL compared to Apricot at 84% — a 22-point gap.
Are terracotta and apricot the same color?+
No. Terracotta is #E2725B and Apricot is #FBCEB1. They differ by 14° in hue, 22% in lightness, and 20% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, terracotta or apricot?+
Apricot is more saturated. In HSL, Terracotta has 70% saturation and Apricot has 90% — Apricot is the more vivid of the two, while Terracotta reads as more muted.
Is terracotta warm or cool?+
Terracotta (#E2725B) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 10° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is apricot warm or cool?+
Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 24° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use terracotta and apricot together?+
Yes. Terracotta (red) and Apricot (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 terracotta belong to?+
Terracotta belongs to the red family. Its HSL is 10°, 70%, 62% — a warm tone within the broader red group.
What is the hex code for terracotta?+
The hex code for Terracotta is #E2725B. In RGB, that's rgb(226, 114, 91), and in HSL it's hsl(10, 70%, 62%).
What is the hex code for apricot?+
The hex code for Apricot is #FBCEB1. In RGB, that's rgb(251, 206, 177), and in HSL it's hsl(24, 90%, 84%).