THE COLOR LIBRARY / Warm
Orange color codes.
The CSS orange color code is #FFA500. Its RGB value is rgb(255, 165, 0) and its HSL value is hsl(38.82, 100%, 50%). Start with the exact reference, then choose a shade for the job.
A color name describes a family in everyday language. This page uses the standardized CSS keyword as its reference; your brand’s orange may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Orange in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#FFA500rgb(255, 165, 0)hsl(38.82, 100%, 50%)HEX and RGB encode the same sRGB reference. HSL is calculated from it and rounded to two decimals for display. These are screen color values, not a CMYK print specification.
ONE COLOR. DIFFERENT ROLES.
Explore orange tints and shades
Select a swatch to see its codes and compare text contrast.
Make the next step clear.
A label, a surface, and room to breathe.
Selected: ReferenceSelected color
Reference · #FFA500
rgb(255, 165, 0)hsl(38.82, 100%, 50%)The specimen picks whichever of black or white has higher contrast. It demonstrates a pair, not a complete accessible component.
Illustrative scale: tints mix the reference with white, shades with black, by the stated percentage in encoded sRGB channels. This is not a perceptually uniform scale. Black tints and white shades remain useful; mixing black with black or white with white repeats the reference.
Text contrast on orange
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #FFA500. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 10.63:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 1.97:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Fail · 3:1 |
Large text is at least 18pt, or 14pt bold. These numeric checks apply to opaque, solid color pairs. Other criteria, states, backgrounds, and exceptions need review. Read W3C’s contrast guidance.
Pure CSS orange is bright. Do not assume a white label is readable just because the button looks saturated; compare the actual pair.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use orange in product design
Give it one clear role
Orange can distinguish a pending task or an action that needs attention. In a product with an orange brand, separate promotional accents from operational warnings through labels, icons, and placement.
A UI example to try
A billing warning can use a pale orange background with a dark heading and a specific next action. Keep the primary payment action distinct from decorative orange illustrations.
Work through a real screen
Build a pending-approval banner beside the normal primary action. If orange is also the brand accent, use a specific status label and supporting explanation so the banner does not look like another promotional CTA. Review the banner in a dense dashboard, where large saturated areas can compete with the task.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare orange with coral for brand expression and with yellow for attention states. Do not treat those alternatives as interchangeable status labels. Choose the meaning first, then verify the text and surface pair in the supported themes.
- Choose the role. Decide whether orange is a surface, foreground, accent, or status. Name the semantic token after that purpose.
- Test the actual pair. Compare its foreground and background at the intended size. Test hover, selected, focus, and supported themes independently.
- Document the decision. Keep the approved code, usage rule, and contrasting companion together. Preserve labels and non-color cues when communicating a state.
Copy a orange CSS palette
These numeric names are illustrative palette tokens, not a standard scale. Connect approved values to semantic tokens such as --surface-highlight or --text-primary after testing their pairs.
:root {
--orange-100: #FFEDCC;
--orange-300: #FFC966;
--orange-500: #FFA500;
--orange-700: #BF7C00;
--orange-900: #805300;
}Common questions about orange
What is the HEX code for orange?
The CSS named color orange is #FFA500. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is orange accessible?
A color by itself cannot pass or fail accessibility. The foreground/background pair, content size, interaction state, and meaning all matter. Use the table above for the selected solid-color pair, then review the complete interface.