Shades of Coral: Names and Hex Codes
There are many recognized shades of coral, from the warm orange-pink classic to soft peachy tints and punchy coral reds. 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 color psychology when you need the symbolism behind the swatch.
A quick note on terminology, because coral overlaps with salmon and peach in everyday use. Coral — the web standard is #FF7F50 — is a warm pinkish-orange named after the marine organism. Salmon leans pinker and more muted, peach is lighter and more orange, and “coral” alone covers a lot of ground in between. If you need those distinctions, see our comparisons of salmon vs coral and coral vs peach. Throughout this guide, “shades of coral” covers every named variation in that warm pink-orange family.
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 CMYK or a Pantone match for print, convert from the hex value in your design software, and proof carefully — warm pink-oranges can shift toward red or wash out depending on stock.
Classic and true corals
These are the core corals most people picture — warm, friendly orange-pinks used in lifestyle, beauty, and summer branding.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral | #FF7F50 | 255, 127, 80 | Web-standard warm orange-pink; friendly, classic. |
| Living Coral | #FF6F61 | 255, 111, 97 | Pantone 2019 color; vibrant, contemporary. |
| Coral Pink | #F88379 | 248, 131, 121 | Soft pink-coral; gentle, warm. |
| Tomato | #FF6347 | 255, 99, 71 | Web-standard red-coral; bold, lively. |
| Salmon Coral | #FF8C69 | 255, 140, 105 | Warm peachy coral; soft, inviting. |
| Light Coral | #F08080 | 240, 128, 128 | Web-standard pale red-coral; mellow. |
Pink-leaning corals
Where coral cools toward pink you get salmon and rose corals — softer, romantic, and a little dusty.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | #FA8072 | 250, 128, 114 | Web-standard pink-orange; soft, warm. |
| Dark Salmon | #E9967A | 233, 150, 122 | Web-standard muted coral; earthy, gentle. |
| Light Salmon | #FFA07A | 255, 160, 122 | Web-standard pale peachy coral; airy. |
| Rose Quartz Coral | #F7CAC9 | 247, 202, 201 | Pale pink-coral; delicate, romantic. |
| Flamingo Pink | #FC8EAC | 252, 142, 172 | Bright pink-coral; playful, vivid. |
| Dusty Coral | #E08D9B | 224, 141, 155 | Muted rose-coral; vintage, soft. |
Peachy and light corals
Where coral lightens toward peach you get warm, sun-washed tints — fresh, soft, and perfect for backgrounds.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peach | #FFE5B4 | 255, 229, 180 | Pale warm peach; soft, gentle background. |
| Peach Puff | #FFDAB9 | 255, 218, 185 | Web-standard pale peach; airy, warm. |
| Deep Peach | #FFCBA4 | 255, 203, 164 | Warm peachy coral; soft, inviting. |
| Coral Peach | #FFB07C | 255, 176, 124 | Mid peach-coral; sunny, fresh. |
| Apricot | #FAD6A5 | 250, 214, 165 | Pale warm apricot; gentle, neutral-warm. |
| Melon | #FFBF91 | 255, 191, 145 | Soft orange-coral; juicy, summery. |
Deep and vivid corals
Punchier corals pushed toward red and orange — bold, energetic, and impossible to ignore.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Red | #FF4040 | 255, 64, 64 | Vivid red-coral; bold, energetic. |
| Bright Coral | #FF3F34 | 255, 63, 52 | Hot coral; punchy, attention-grabbing. |
| Terracotta Coral | #E2725B | 226, 114, 91 | Earthy deep coral; warm, grounded. |
| Dark Coral | #CD5B45 | 205, 91, 69 | Deep muted coral; rustic, rich. |
| Burnt Coral | #F88158 | 248, 129, 88 | Warm orange-coral; autumnal, lively. |
| Persimmon | #FF6B53 | 255, 107, 83 | Bright orange-red coral; vibrant, juicy. |
What are the most popular shades of coral?
The most-used named corals in design are coral (#FF7F50), living coral (#FF6F61), salmon (#FA8072), coral pink (#F88379), and coral red (#FF4040). Classic coral and living coral dominate lifestyle, beauty, and summer branding; salmon and coral pink bring softer warmth; coral red adds punchy energy. Soft corals feel warm and approachable, while vivid corals project confidence and fun.
Coral’s appeal is that it blends the energy of orange with the warmth of pink, landing on a hue that feels optimistic, social, and flattering — Pantone named Living Coral its 2019 Color of the Year for exactly that reason. That makes it a favorite for wellness, hospitality, and consumer brands that want to feel friendly and modern without the aggression of pure red. Choosing a coral is really choosing how pink, how peachy, or how vivid you want that warmth to be.
Coral is also one of the more flattering colors against a range of skin tones, which is part of why it dominates beauty, swimwear, and lifestyle photography — it reads as healthy and sun-warmed rather than clinical. The trade-off is that coral dates quickly when it is tied too closely to a single trend; the bright teal-and-coral pairing of the late 1980s, and the Living Coral wave of 2019, both became shorthand for their moment. To use coral durably, anchor it with timeless neutrals and treat it as the warm accent rather than the whole identity. That keeps the friendliness without locking your palette to a specific year.
How to use shades of coral in design
Coral is a warm, energizing accent that also works as a friendly primary. Its complement is turquoise, so pairing coral with teal or turquoise creates the classic vibrant beach palette — one of the most reliable color combinations in design. For a softer look, pair coral with cream, navy, and warm gray.
Practical guidance: coral is a mid-value warm color, so deeper corals like dark coral (#CD5B45) work as readable accent text, while pale peachy corals are best reserved for backgrounds and fills. To keep coral from feeling dated, pair it with cool neutrals like charcoal and navy rather than 1980s teal-and-coral combinations — or lean fully into that retro pairing intentionally. Coral also sits beautifully against deep greens; see our reference on shades of turquoise for its complement, and explore its warm neighbors in shades of maroon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for coral?
The standard web and X11 hex code for coral is #FF7F50, which is RGB 255, 127, 80. It is a warm pinkish-orange named after the marine organism. The related web color light coral is #F08080, a softer, pinker variation.
What is the difference between coral and salmon?
Coral (#FF7F50) is a warmer, more orange pink, while salmon (#FA8072) is softer, pinker, and slightly more muted. Coral reads as vivid and energetic; salmon reads as gentle and subtle. See our full salmon vs coral comparison for examples.
What is the difference between coral and peach?
Coral (#FF7F50) is more saturated and red-orange, while peach (#FFE5B4) is much paler, softer, and leans yellow-orange. Coral makes a bold accent; peach works as a gentle background or pastel. See our coral vs peach comparison for the details.
What was Pantone’s Living Coral?
Living Coral (#FF6F61) was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019, described as an animating, life-affirming coral with a golden undertone. It popularized coral across fashion, web, and product design and remains a widely cited reference for the warm, vibrant end of the coral family.
What colors go well with coral?
Coral pairs beautifully with turquoise and teal — its complement — for a vibrant beach palette, and with navy, cream, and warm gray for a more refined look. Mint green, gold, and soft blush also complement coral well in both modern and retro combinations.
