THE COLOR LIBRARY / Warm
Red color codes.
The CSS red color code is #FF0000. Its RGB value is rgb(255, 0, 0) and its HSL value is hsl(0, 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 red may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Red in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#FF0000rgb(255, 0, 0)hsl(0, 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 red 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 · #FF0000
rgb(255, 0, 0)hsl(0, 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 red
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #FF0000. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 5.25:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 4.00:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Pass · 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.
White text on pure red misses the ordinary-text AA threshold. Choose a darker action shade for a white label, or use dark text on a light red surface.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use red in product design
Give it one clear role
Use red for a deliberately prominent state, such as a destructive action or a failed payment. Reserve that role consistently so a decorative red chart series does not compete with an error message.
A UI example to try
A destructive action needs an explicit verb and a clear consequence. Show “Delete project” with a confirmation when appropriate; a red fill alone cannot explain what will happen.
Work through a real screen
Review a failed-payment message with the amount, reason, and recovery action visible. Keep red attached to the failure rather than spreading it across every button and divider. The user should understand the issue even when the hue is not distinguishable. A destructive action and a payment failure can share a color family while needing different copy and interaction rules.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare red with coral and pink by role, not only by appearance. A softer coral may suit a brand accent but weaken the intended status distinction. Keep the error role documented separately from decorative brand use, and review both when changing the palette.
- Choose the role. Decide whether red 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 red 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 {
--red-100: #FFCCCC;
--red-300: #FF6666;
--red-500: #FF0000;
--red-700: #BF0000;
--red-900: #800000;
}Common questions about red
What is the HEX code for red?
The CSS named color red is #FF0000. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is red 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.