Rust #B7410E
Rust is a deep reddish orange with hex code #B7410E, the color iron oxide leaves on old metal. Earthy and fairly saturated, it is darker than burnt orange and more orange than brick red. It suggests autumn leaves, weathered steel, desert rock and the living rooms of the 1970s.
| HEX | #B7410E | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(183, 65, 14) | |
| HSL | hsl(18, 86%, 39%) | |
| HSV | hsv(18, 92%, 72%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 64%, 92%, 28%) |
Text on Rust
White text reads better on Rust. 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 Rust
Rust tints and shades
Tints mix Rust 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
Rust color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #B7410E and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Rust color meaning
Rust is an odd case. The thing it is named after is a sign of decay, yet the color feels warm and inviting. It belongs to the same family as terracotta and copper, and people tend to read it as natural and grounded.
In places with deciduous trees it is strongly tied to autumn, and it shows up in seasonal fashion, harvest decor and Thanksgiving tables in the US. It has a rugged, industrial side too, thanks to sculptures and buildings made from weathering steel that is left to rust on purpose.
Rust was one of the defining colors of 1970s design, along with avocado green and harvest gold. It has come back in recent years through earthy, sun-faded palettes in interiors, ceramics and clothing, usually with softer neutrals around it than the originals had.
How to use Rust in design
Rust works well for outdoor, coffee, craft, furniture and sustainability-focused brands. White text is readable on it, so it can carry buttons and banner backgrounds. Dark text struggles.
Rust can look dated when paired with the other full-strength colors of its seventies heyday, so freshen it with cream, sage or a dusty blue. In fashion, rust knitwear, suede and corduroy are autumn staples. In interiors it works on velvet chairs, rugs and terracotta-style tiles, and it warms up rooms dominated by gray.
Palettes with Rust tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #B7410E.
Colors similar to Rust
Work with Rust
Rust FAQ
What color is rust?
Rust is a dark reddish orange, the shade iron takes on as it oxidizes. Its common hex value is #B7410E. It sits between red and orange with enough brown in it to feel earthy. Lighter versions look like terracotta, and darker ones move toward chestnut and brown.
Does rust go with blue?
Yes. Blue sits roughly opposite rust on the color wheel, so the two contrast strongly. Navy makes a classic, grounded pair, and teal gives a livelier one. Dusty and slate blues soften the look for interiors. Let one color dominate so the combination doesn't look like a team jersey.