Shades of Crimson: Names and Hex Codes

This is a practical reference for the most useful shades of crimson, with accurate hex codes, RGB values, and notes on character and use. Crimson is a strong, slightly blue-leaning red — richer and deeper than a pure primary red, with a cooler, more dramatic edge than orange-toned scarlet. Small shifts toward blue, black, or orange turn it from a vivid cherry hue into a deep blood-red or a fiery flame tone, so the right crimson depends entirely on the mood you want. Use the table below as a citable palette, then read on for how the shades group together.

For how crimson compares with its close relatives, see crimson vs red and scarlet vs crimson vs red; for the symbolism, read color psychology. The neighbouring jewel reds are covered in our shades of ruby reference.

Shades of crimson: full table

Shade name	Hex	RGB	Notes
Crimson	#DC143C	220, 20, 60	CSS named crimson; cherry-red.
Carmine	#960018	150, 0, 24	Deep blue-red dye pigment.
Ruby	#9B111E	155, 17, 30	Deep jewel-toned red.
Scarlet	#FF2400	255, 36, 0	Bright orange-leaning red.
Deep Crimson	#841B2D	132, 27, 45	Dark, rich blood-crimson.
Maroon-Crimson	#800000	128, 0, 0	CSS maroon; brownish deep red.
Carnelian Crimson	#B80F0A	184, 15, 10	Warm bright brick-crimson.
OU Crimson	#990000	153, 0, 0	Classic collegiate deep red.
Crimson Red	#BE0032	190, 0, 50	Vivid saturated true crimson.
Madder Crimson	#A50021	165, 0, 33	Deep historic dye-red.
Imperial Crimson	#ED2939	237, 41, 57	Bright flag-red crimson.
Barn Crimson	#7C0A02	124, 10, 2	Dark, earthy brick-crimson.
Rich Crimson	#D70040	215, 0, 64	Bold pinkish crimson.
Cardinal Crimson	#C41E3A	196, 30, 58	Strong sporty cardinal red.
Jazzberry Crimson	#990F4B	153, 15, 75	Deep pink-leaning crimson.
Ruby Crimson	#E0115F	224, 17, 95	Bright rose-toned crimson.
Dark Sangria	#6E0B14	110, 11, 20	Deep wine-crimson.
Cherry Crimson	#D2042D	210, 4, 45	Vivid cherry-red crimson.
Amaranth Crimson	#AB274F	171, 39, 79	Muted rose-purple crimson.
Blood Crimson	#660000	102, 0, 0	Very dark near-black red.
Fire Crimson	#CE2029	206, 32, 41	Bright warm engine-red.
Firebrick Crimson	#B22222	178, 34, 34	CSS firebrick; warm brick-red.
Cerise Crimson	#DE3163	222, 49, 99	Bright pink-red crimson.
Turkey Red Crimson	#A91101	169, 17, 1	Deep orange-leaning dye-red.

Classic blue-leaning crimsons

The defining crimsons carry a cool, blue undertone. Crimson (#DC143C), Crimson Red (#BE0032), Cardinal Crimson (#C41E3A), and Cherry Crimson (#D2042D) are the bright, cherry-toned reds most people picture when they hear the word — vivid, dramatic, and a touch regal. The CSS named Crimson at #DC143C is the reference point for the whole family: a strong red that leans just enough toward blue to feel richer than a primary red without becoming pink. These are the workhorse crimsons of flags, heraldry, and bold brand identities. For where crimson separates from a plain red, see crimson vs red.

Deep blood-red carmines

The darkest end behaves almost like wine. Carmine (#960018), Ruby (#9B111E), Deep Crimson (#841B2D), Dark Sangria (#6E0B14), and Blood Crimson (#660000) are deep, saturated reds with real gravity. Carmine is a genuine historic pigment made from cochineal insects, prized for its intense depth, and it gives this group its rich, slightly purple character. These deep crimsons read as luxurious, serious, and timeless, which is why they anchor premium packaging, wine and spirits branding, and formal identities. They pair beautifully with gold, cream, and deep green.

Scarlet and orange-leaning crimsons

Push crimson toward orange and it heats up. Scarlet (#FF2400), Fire Crimson (#CE2029), Carnelian Crimson (#B80F0A), and Turkey Red Crimson (#A91101) lean warm and fiery, reading as energetic, urgent, and bold rather than cool and regal. Scarlet in particular sits firmly on the orange side of red, which is what distinguishes it from true crimson. These warm reds suit sports, fast food, and high-energy brands where the goal is excitement over elegance. For the full three-way breakdown, see scarlet vs crimson vs red.

Pink and rose-leaning crimsons

Lighten or pinken crimson and it turns toward rose. Rich Crimson (#D70040), Ruby Crimson (#E0115F), Cerise Crimson (#DE3163), and Amaranth Crimson (#AB274F) carry a stronger pink note that feels brighter and more modern. These rose-leaning crimsons are popular in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle branding, where a touch of pink softens the drama without losing the punch. Jazzberry Crimson (#990F4B) sits at the deep, jewel-toned end of this group, balancing crimson’s richness with a berry brightness.

Choosing the right crimson shade

Pick a crimson by matching its temperature to your message. For drama, romance, and a regal feel, reach for the cool blue-leaning crimsons; for energy, urgency, and appetite, reach for the warm scarlet and fire crimsons; for luxury and depth, reach for the deep carmines and rubies; and for a modern, fashion-forward look, reach for the rose-leaning crimsons. Because crimson is so loud, the most common mistake is using too much of it — a wall of crimson reads as aggressive rather than confident. Treat it as a statement color against generous neutral space. A reliable formula is one bright crimson for impact, one deep crimson for depth, and cream, white, or charcoal carrying the rest of the layout.

Most popular shades of crimson

The crimsons most people name and use are Crimson (#DC143C) as the bright baseline, Carmine (#960018) for a deep historic dye-red, Ruby (#9B111E) for a jewel tone, Scarlet (#FF2400) for the orange-leaning fiery option, and Deep Crimson (#841B2D) for a dark, rich blood-red. Together they cover bright through deep to warm, which is why they anchor most bold, dramatic palettes.

How to use shades of crimson in design

Crimson is the most dramatic red, so it commands attention and signals passion, energy, and importance. Use bright crimsons like Crimson and Cardinal as primary brand colors, buttons, and calls to action; use deep crimsons like Carmine and Ruby for luxury packaging, headers, and sophisticated anchors; and reserve scarlet and warm crimsons for high-energy accents. Crimson pairs beautifully with white, cream, gold, deep green, and charcoal, evoking power, romance, and heritage. The main risk is overuse — crimson is so loud that large areas feel aggressive, so treat it as an accent against generous neutral space. A reliable approach uses a single crimson as your statement color, a deep crimson for depth, and cream or charcoal for everything else. Because crimson signals confidence and urgency, it suits sports, food, luxury, and entertainment brands particularly well, reading as passionate and decisive wherever it lands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for crimson?

The CSS named color “crimson” is #DC143C (RGB 220, 20, 60), a bright cherry-red with a slight blue undertone. For a deep historic dye-red use Carmine (#960018), for a jewel tone use Ruby (#9B111E), and for an orange-leaning version use Scarlet (#FF2400).

What is the difference between crimson and red?

Crimson (#DC143C) is a strong red with a blue undertone that reads as deeper, cooler, and more dramatic, while pure red (#FF0000) is a balanced primary that feels brighter and more neutral. Crimson leans toward purple; red sits in the middle. Crimson is the richer, more sophisticated choice.

How many shades of crimson are there?

Crimson variations are effectively limitless because crimson spans deep blue-reds through bright cherry tones, but designers typically reference 20 to 30 named shades. This list includes 24 of the most recognized, from cool cherry crimsons through deep blood-red carmines to warm scarlet and rose-leaning tones.

What colors go well with crimson?

Crimson pairs naturally with white, cream, gold, and charcoal for a bold, elegant palette. For high contrast, combine crimson with deep green, teal, or navy. Deeper carmine and ruby crimsons also work alongside blush pink and warm gold for a luxurious, romantic scheme.