The main difference between Walnut and Mahogany is brightness and saturation: both are orange shades, but Mahogany is lighter and Mahogany is more saturated. Walnut and Mahogany are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Walnut (#773F1A) and Mahogany (#C04000) 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.
Mahogany is more saturated (100% HSL vs 64%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Walnut can feel washed out when printed small.
Walnut hits a 8.37:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Mahogany only reaches 5.28:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Mahogany is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Walnut leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Walnut is the more muted of the two (64% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Mahogany's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Walnut (#773F1A) is a dark, moderately saturated orange with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and balanced in intensity.
Mahogany (#C04000) is a dark, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial 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.