Burnt Orange #CC5500
Burnt orange is a deep, dark orange with a brownish edge, commonly given as hex #CC5500. Warm and saturated but muted next to bright orange, it looks as if the color had been scorched. Autumn leaves, terracotta pots, Texas Longhorns football and 1970s living rooms all share it.
Burnt orange has no CSS keyword, so values vary. #CC5500 is a common one; the University of Texas uses its own, slightly different burnt orange.
| HEX | #CC5500 | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(204, 85, 0) | |
| HSL | hsl(25, 100%, 40%) | |
| HSV | hsv(25, 100%, 80%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 58%, 100%, 20%) |
Text on Burnt Orange
Black text reads better on Burnt Orange. 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 Burnt Orange
Burnt Orange tints and shades
Tints mix Burnt Orange 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
Burnt Orange color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #CC5500 and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Burnt Orange color meaning
Burnt orange is a grounded version of orange. It keeps the warmth and friendliness but loses the brashness, so it feels earthy, confident and comfortable. It looks at home outdoors, on leather, wood and stone.
In the US it is strongly linked to autumn, harvest and Thanksgiving, and it was one of the key colors of 1970s fashion and home decor. In recent years it has returned in earthy, desert-inspired palettes, often next to sand, sage and cream.
American sports fans tie burnt orange closely to the University of Texas at Austin, whose Longhorns wear it. For many people in Texas, the color reads as school pride first and autumn second, which is worth knowing if you are designing for that audience.
How to use Burnt Orange in design
Burnt orange works for outdoor gear, coffee, craft brewing, furniture and Southwest-inspired brands. Contrast is borderline in both directions: black text is a little more readable than white, but neither suits small body copy. Use it for large headings, buttons with bold labels or background blocks.
On social posts it pairs well with navy, cream and teal, and it photographs warmly against wood and leather. In fashion, burnt orange is an autumn favorite in knitwear and suede. In interiors, it suits velvet sofas, rugs and accent walls.
Palettes with Burnt Orange tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #CC5500.
Colors similar to Burnt Orange
Work with Burnt Orange
Burnt Orange FAQ
What is the difference between burnt orange and rust?
Burnt orange #CC5500 is brighter and more clearly orange. Rust #B7410E is darker and redder, closer to iron oxide on metal. Both are earthy autumn colors. Burnt orange reads as a toasted orange, and rust reads as a red-brown with orange in it.
What colors go with burnt orange?
Navy and teal are strong cool partners because blue sits opposite orange. Cream, beige and tan keep things warm and soft. Olive green, mustard and brown build a full autumn palette. For a modern look, pair burnt orange with charcoal and plenty of white space.