Brown #964B00
Brown, at hex #964B00, is a warm, medium-dark shade made mostly of red with some green and no blue. This version is fairly saturated and leans toward orange, closer to polished wood or a toasted crust than to a gray-brown. It brings to mind soil, timber, leather and coffee.
There is no single standard brown. CSS 'brown' is #A52A2A, a noticeably redder shade, while #964B00 is a common general-purpose brown with more orange in it.
| HEX | #964B00 | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(150, 75, 0) | |
| HSL | hsl(30, 100%, 29%) | |
| HSV | hsv(30, 100%, 59%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 50%, 100%, 41%) |
Text on Brown
White text reads better on Brown. Ratios use the WCAG 2 formula: 4.5:1 passes AA for body text, 3:1 passes for large text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Colors that go with Brown
Brown tints and shades
Tints mix Brown with white, shades mix it with black, in 15% steps. Copy any code, or open the tint and shade generator for a full scale.
Tints
Shades
Brown color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #964B00 and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Brown color meaning
Brown is the color of earth, wood, bark and many animals, so people tend to read it as natural, sturdy and dependable. It is grounded and unshowy, which is why it often stands for reliability and comfort.
It also has a homespun side. Brown paper, burlap, wool and wooden furniture make it feel handmade and practical. In food it signals things that are baked, roasted or toasted, from bread crust to coffee and chocolate.
Its reputation is mixed. Some people find brown dull or old-fashioned, and it has gone in and out of style in Western fashion. Earthy palettes have made it popular again in interiors and clothing. In some religious traditions, plain brown robes are tied to humility, as with Franciscan friars.
How to use Brown in design
Brown works well for brands that want to look natural, artisanal or reliable, such as coffee roasters, bakeries, outdoor gear, leather goods and furniture makers. At #964B00 it is dark enough to carry white or cream text in buttons and headers, though black text on it is hard to read. Large brown areas can feel heavy on screens, so it often works best as an accent or through photography.
In interiors, brown usually comes from wood, leather and textiles more than paint. In fashion, it is a softer alternative to black for boots, coats and bags.
Palettes with Brown tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #964B00.
Colors similar to Brown
Work with Brown
Brown FAQ
Why is brown not on the color wheel?
Brown is what we see when orange or red light is dim compared with its surroundings. Color wheels and rainbows show hues at full strength, so brown does not get its own slot. Darken or mute an orange and you get brown, which is why designers treat it as a shade of orange.
What colors go with brown?
Cream, beige and ivory make easy backgrounds for brown. For contrast, try teal, navy or turquoise, which balance its warmth. Sage and olive greens give a natural, outdoorsy palette, while mustard and burnt orange lean into an autumn or 1970s look.
What does brown mean in a logo?
Brown in a logo usually says the brand is dependable, down to earth or close to its raw materials. Coffee, chocolate, leather and outdoor brands use it often. It is less common in tech, where it can look dated unless it is paired with a crisp, modern typeface.