Shades of Apricot: Names and Hex Codes
There are many recognized shades of apricot, from the soft warm-peach classic to deeper orange tones and pale pastels. 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 apricot sits in a soft warm zone between peach and orange. Apricot — commonly cited as #FBCEB1 — is a pale, warm pinkish-orange named after the fruit. It is frequently confused with peach (slightly pinker and lighter) and orange (deeper, more saturated). If you need that distinction, see our comparisons of peach vs apricot and apricot vs orange. Throughout this guide, “shades of apricot” covers every named variation in that soft, warm peach-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 always proof — warm pastels shift noticeably between screen and press.
Classic apricots
These are the core apricots most people picture — soft, warm peach-orange tones used in beauty, food, and lifestyle branding.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apricot | #FBCEB1 | 251, 206, 177 | Classic soft peach-orange; warm, gentle. |
| Soft Apricot | #F5C7A9 | 245, 199, 169 | Muted warm peach; mellow, soft. |
| Peach Apricot | #FFD0A8 | 255, 208, 168 | Warm peachy-apricot; inviting, fresh. |
| Warm Apricot | #F4BE9C | 244, 190, 156 | Golden warm apricot; rich, soft. |
| Coral Apricot | #EFA88B | 239, 168, 139 | Pinker apricot-coral; lively, warm. |
| Blush Apricot | #F8C19E | 248, 193, 158 | Soft pink-peach; romantic, gentle. |
Light and pale apricots
The palest, most delicate apricots — soft enough for backgrounds and airy, sunny palettes.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Apricot | #FDD5B1 | 253, 213, 177 | Pale warm peach; soft, airy. |
| Pale Apricot | #FFE5C9 | 255, 229, 201 | Whisper-soft cream-peach; light, gentle. |
| Apricot Cream | #FFEFDD | 255, 239, 221 | Near-white warm cream; subtle, background-friendly. |
| Powder Apricot | #FCDBC1 | 252, 219, 193 | Soft powdery peach; matte, calm. |
| Champagne Apricot | #FAE0C8 | 250, 224, 200 | Warm cream-apricot; elegant, soft. |
| Sunrise Apricot | #FFDFC4 | 255, 223, 196 | Pale glowing peach; airy, fresh. |
Deep and dark apricots
Pushed toward orange and brown, these deeper apricots add richness and warmth to a soft palette.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Apricot | #CD7E4D | 205, 126, 77 | Deep warm orange-brown; rich, grounded. |
| Burnt Apricot | #E08A4C | 224, 138, 76 | Warm toasted orange; earthy, bold. |
| Deep Apricot | #D99058 | 217, 144, 88 | Rich golden-orange; warm, inviting. |
| Toffee Apricot | #C68A5E | 198, 138, 94 | Muted caramel-apricot; earthy, calm. |
| Clay Apricot | #BB7948 | 187, 121, 72 | Warm terracotta-brown; rustic, grounded. |
| Amber Apricot | #D98E5A | 217, 142, 90 | Glowing amber-orange; warm, rich. |
Orange and bright apricots
The warmest, most saturated apricots that tip toward true orange — the boldest of the family.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apricot Orange | #ED9121 | 237, 145, 33 | Vivid warm orange; bold, energetic. |
| Bright Apricot | #F4A340 | 244, 163, 64 | Sunny orange-gold; lively, warm. |
| Melon Apricot | #FBA76B | 251, 167, 107 | Soft orange-melon; fresh, friendly. |
| Tangerine Apricot | #FF9E5E | 255, 158, 94 | Bright warm orange; punchy, sunny. |
What are the most popular shades of apricot?
The most-used named apricots in design are apricot (#FBCEB1), light apricot (#FDD5B1), dark apricot (#CD7E4D), apricot orange (#ED9121), and pale apricot (#FFE5C9). Classic apricot dominates beauty, food, and lifestyle branding; light and pale apricots carry soft backgrounds; dark apricot adds earthy richness; and apricot orange brings bold energy. Lighter apricots feel airy and warm, while deeper apricots project richness and appetite appeal.
Apricot’s appeal is that it reads as one of the warmest, friendliest soft colors — it carries the energy of orange but softens it with a pinkish, fruit-like glow that feels nourishing and approachable rather than loud. That makes it a favorite for food and beverage, beauty and skincare, wellness, and lifestyle brands, where the fruit association does instant warmth and appetite work. Because it sits between peach, pink, and orange, apricot flexes from pale and romantic to bright and energetic. Choosing an apricot is really choosing how pale, how deep, or how orange you want that warm peach tone to lean.
Apricot is a subtle warm color where small shifts toward pink or orange completely change the mood, which is the most useful thing to know when specifying it. On screen, a hex like #FBCEB1 reads soft and gentle, but the same tone can look peachier or more orange on different displays. The values in the tables above — apricot at #FBCEB1, light apricot at #FDD5B1, apricot orange at #ED9121 — are the widely cited references, but always pin the exact hex in your documentation and proof on multiple screens. This matters doubly in food and beauty packaging, where apricot tones shift under store lighting and read warmer or cooler than expected.
How to use shades of apricot in design
Apricot is a warm, friendly accent or base that signals energy and nourishment. Pair classic apricot with teal, navy, or deep green for a fresh, balanced palette, or with cream and soft brown for a warm, natural look. Bright apricot orange works beautifully as an energetic accent, while light apricot makes a soft, sunny background for beauty and food brands.
Practical guidance: apricot’s near-complement is a soft teal or blue, which gives a balanced, contemporary contrast — a reliable warm-and-cool pairing. For type, dark and deep apricots stay readable on light backgrounds, while pale apricot works best as a background or large fill rather than text. To keep apricot from feeling washed out, anchor it with a deep neutral, teal, or plenty of white space. Apricot sits close to peach and orange; see our comparisons of peach vs apricot and apricot vs orange, and explore neighboring warm tones in our reference on shades of blush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for apricot?
Apricot is most commonly cited as #FBCEB1, which is RGB 251, 206, 177 — a pale, warm pinkish-orange named after the fruit. It is the widely accepted reference value, sitting between peach and orange on the warm side of the spectrum.
What is the difference between apricot and peach?
Apricot (#FBCEB1) leans slightly more orange and golden, while peach is a touch pinker and often lighter. Both are soft warm tones, but apricot reads as a bit richer and more orange. See our full peach vs apricot comparison for examples and palette ideas.
What is the difference between apricot and orange?
Apricot (#FBCEB1) is a pale, soft, pinkish version of orange, while true orange (#FFA500) is deeper, brighter, and more saturated. Apricot feels gentle and nourishing; orange feels bold and energetic. Apricot orange (#ED9121) bridges the two. See our apricot vs orange comparison.
Which shade of apricot is best for a brand?
For beauty and food, classic apricot (#FBCEB1) feels warm and appetizing. For soft backgrounds, light apricot (#FDD5B1) is airy and gentle. For bold, energetic accents, apricot orange (#ED9121) makes a statement. Choose by how pale, deep, or orange you want the identity to feel.
What colors go well with apricot?
Apricot pairs beautifully with soft teal or blue — its near-complement — for fresh contrast, and with cream, soft brown, and warm gray for a natural palette. Navy grounds it for a modern look, while sage green gives apricot a fresh, organic feel.
