Shades of Orange: Names and Hex Codes
There are dozens of recognized shades of orange, from pale peach tints to vivid tangerines and deep burnt-orange earth tones. Below is a practitioner reference: each shade with its name, hex code, RGB value, and a note on where it works best. Use it as a swatch library when building a palette, and pair it with our guide to what the color orange means when you need the symbolism behind the swatch.
A quick note on terminology, because it matters when you specify color precisely. A shade technically means a hue mixed with black (darker, moving toward brown), a tint is a hue mixed with white (lighter, moving toward peach), and a tone is a hue mixed with gray (more muted). In everyday design language — and throughout this guide — “shades of orange” covers every named variation, from a pale peach tint to a deep burnt-orange shade to a muted ochre tone. Orange sits between red and yellow on the wheel, so it inherits the warmth and energy of both: lean it toward red and you get fiery coral and orange-red, lean it toward yellow and you get glowing amber and gold. The hex codes below are established web, X11, and common pigment values you can copy straight into your tools.
Each entry below gives three values so you can use it anywhere: the hex code (for CSS, HTML, and most design tools), the RGB triplet (for screen-based tools that ask for red, green, and blue channels separately), and a short note on the mood and best use of that shade. If you need a print match, convert from the hex value to CMYK or Pantone in your design software and check a physical proof — bright oranges are one of the hardest colors to reproduce on press and frequently print darker and less vivid than they look on a backlit screen.
Light shades of orange
Light oranges feel warm, soft, and welcoming — ideal for food, lifestyle, and gentle pastel branding.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peach | #FFE5B4 | 255, 229, 180 | Soft warm tint; gentle, inviting. |
| Peach Puff | #FFDAB9 | 255, 218, 185 | Pale peach; backgrounds, softness. |
| Light Orange | #FFCC99 | 255, 204, 153 | Soft pastel orange; warm fills. |
| Sandy Tan | #FAD6A5 | 250, 214, 165 | Muted warm tint; earthy, neutral. |
| Moccasin | #FFE4B5 | 255, 228, 181 | Pale gold-orange; soft, organic. |
| Apricot | #FBCEB1 | 251, 206, 177 | Soft peachy orange; warm, fresh. |
Bright and vivid oranges
Bright oranges are cheerful, energetic, and appetite-stimulating — the go-to for food, sport, and bold CTAs.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange (Web) | #FFA500 | 255, 165, 0 | CSS named orange; bright, classic. |
| Tangerine | #F28500 | 242, 133, 0 | Juicy vivid orange; lively, fresh. |
| Pumpkin | #FF7518 | 255, 117, 24 | Warm autumn orange; festive. |
| Dark Orange | #FF8C00 | 255, 140, 0 | Web-standard deep orange; bold. |
| Safety Orange | #FF6700 | 255, 103, 0 | High-visibility orange; alerts, signage. |
| Marigold | #FFA000 | 255, 160, 0 | Warm gold-orange; cheerful, rich. |
Amber and gold oranges
Where orange tips toward yellow you get ambers and golds — warm, luxurious, and glowing.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | #FFBF00 | 255, 191, 0 | Glowing gold-orange; warm, premium. |
| Honey | #FFB300 | 255, 179, 0 | Rich golden orange; warm, inviting. |
| Orange Peel | #FF9F00 | 255, 159, 0 | Bright fruit orange; vivid, fresh. |
| Gamboge | #E49B0F | 228, 155, 15 | Deep gold-orange; earthy, artistic. |
| Golden Yellow | #FFCC00 | 255, 204, 0 | Yellow-orange; bright, optimistic. |
| Ochre | #CC7722 | 204, 119, 34 | Earthy gold-brown; vintage, natural. |
Dark, earthy, and red-orange shades
Deep and muted oranges feel grounded and autumnal — the backbone of rustic, heritage, and editorial palettes.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnt Orange | #CC5500 | 204, 85, 0 | Deep earthy orange; trending, warm. |
| Coral | #FF7F50 | 255, 127, 80 | Pink-orange; lively, flattering. |
| Orange Red | #FF4500 | 255, 69, 0 | Hot red-orange; vivid, energetic. |
| Terracotta | #E2725B | 226, 114, 91 | Warm clay orange; organic, trendy. |
| Rust | #B7410E | 183, 65, 14 | Oxidized orange-brown; vintage. |
| Burnt Sienna | #E97451 | 233, 116, 81 | Earthy red-orange; painterly, warm. |
What are the most popular shades of orange?
The most-used named oranges in design are tangerine, coral, amber, burnt orange, and peach. Tangerine and pumpkin bring bright, appetizing energy to food and seasonal branding; amber and honey add warm, premium glow; burnt orange and terracotta have become defining earthy tones in modern palettes; peach offers soft, friendly warmth. The deeper psychology is covered in our color psychology guide.
Orange occupies an interesting strategic niche in branding. Because it is less common than blue or red, a confident orange stands out and signals friendliness, affordability, and approachability — which is why it appears across budget retail, ecommerce, and food delivery. Bright oranges are genuinely appetite-stimulating, making them a staple of snack and fast-food packaging, while the recent rise of burnt orange and terracotta in interiors and brand palettes reflects a broader shift toward warm, earthy, retro-leaning aesthetics. Few colors feel as energetic and as inviting at the same time.
How to use shades of orange in design
Orange is energetic and warm, so a little goes a long way. Use a bright tangerine or amber as an accent against neutral backgrounds to draw the eye, or build a cozy, grounded palette around burnt orange and terracotta with cream and brown. Orange’s complementary blue creates striking contrast — pair burnt orange with navy or teal for a balanced, sophisticated look.
Practical guidance: bright orange is one of the most legible colors against dark backgrounds, which is why it is used for safety signage and high-visibility gear — lean on safety orange (#FF6700) when you need something to be seen. As text on white, however, mid and light oranges have poor contrast, so reserve dark orange (#FF8C00) or deeper earthy tones for type. To make orange feel premium rather than cheap, pull it toward amber or terracotta and pair it with rich neutrals; to keep it fun and energetic, pair a saturated tangerine with plenty of white space. Explore neighboring families in our reference on shades of red and shades of green.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shades of orange are there?
There is no fixed number — screens can render millions of orange gradations. In practical design terms, around 30 to 40 named shades of orange are widely recognized, from pale peach and apricot through tangerine, amber, pumpkin, burnt orange, terracotta, and rust.
What is the hex code for burnt orange?
A widely used hex code for burnt orange is #CC5500, which is RGB 204, 85, 0. It is a deep, earthy red-leaning orange popular in autumnal and retro palettes; some references use a slightly browner #BF5700 (the well-known “Texas” burnt orange).
What is the difference between amber and orange?
Orange (#FFA500) is a balanced red-yellow, while amber (#FFBF00) leans further toward yellow and gold, giving it a warmer, glowing quality. Orange feels bright and energetic; amber feels rich and luminous, like honey or sunlight.
Which shade of orange is best for a logo?
For energy and friendliness, bright oranges like tangerine (#F28500) or web orange (#FFA500) feel approachable and bold. For warmth and heritage, burnt orange (#CC5500) and terracotta (#E2725B) feel grounded and current. Amber suits premium, glowing brands. Match saturation to the energy you want.
What colors go well with orange?
Orange pairs strikingly with its complementary blue — navy and teal balance its warmth beautifully. It also works with brown, cream, and warm neutrals for an earthy palette, or with deep green for a natural autumnal feel. Avoid pairing bright orange with competing warm reds.
