Chestnut #954535
Chestnut is a medium-dark reddish brown with hex code #954535. It is warm, moderately saturated and slightly muted, with more red than orange in it. The name comes from the glossy shell of the nut, and the word also describes a common horse coat and a deep, red-tinged brown hair shade.
| HEX | #954535 | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(149, 69, 53) | |
| HSL | hsl(10, 48%, 40%) | |
| HSV | hsv(10, 64%, 58%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 54%, 64%, 42%) |
Text on Chestnut
White text reads better on Chestnut. 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 Chestnut
Chestnut tints and shades
Tints mix Chestnut 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
Chestnut color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #954535 and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Chestnut color meaning
Chestnut ties to autumn more directly than most browns. Roasted chestnuts, fallen leaves and harvest season are all in its background, so it feels cozy and seasonal. Street vendors selling roasted chestnuts are a familiar winter sight in many cities, which adds to the cozy associations.
It is also a familiar word for horses and hair. A chestnut horse has a reddish-brown coat, and chestnut hair sits between brown and auburn. Both give the color a natural, healthy warmth. Horse lovers will know it as one of the basic coat colors.
Compared with plain brown, chestnut feels a little more spirited because of its red. It suggests warmth and tradition, and it suits anything meant to look comfortable and well cared for, from a leather saddle to a polished wooden table.
How to use Chestnut in design
Chestnut fits autumn campaigns, equestrian and countryside brands, leather goods, wine bars and hair salons. White and cream text read well on it; black text looks flat. Use it as an accent or header color and keep a light neutral behind body text. It also makes a rich backdrop for product photos of leather, wood and knitwear.
In interiors, chestnut leather, wood and velvet pair well with forest green, mustard and cream. In fashion it is a warm alternative to black for boots, bags and coats.
Palettes with Chestnut tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #954535.
Colors similar to Chestnut
Work with Chestnut
Chestnut FAQ
What is the difference between chestnut and auburn?
Both are reddish browns. Auburn usually means a hair color with more red and a coppery shine, while chestnut is browner and deeper. In practice the names overlap, and hair dye brands use them loosely, so compare swatches before choosing by name alone.
Is chestnut warm or cool?
Chestnut is warm. It has a clear red undertone and very little blue, which places it alongside rust, mahogany and terracotta. It looks especially rich against cool colors like navy, teal and slate gray, and blends smoothly with creams and golds.
What is the difference between chestnut and maroon?
Maroon (#800000) is a dark red with no brown cast. Chestnut (#954535) is lighter and browner, closer to wood or leather. Maroon feels formal and collegiate, while chestnut feels earthy and seasonal, so they suit quite different designs. Chestnut pairs naturally with greens, while maroon is often paired with gold or cream.