Shades of Maroon: Names and Hex Codes
There are many recognized shades of maroon, from the brownish collegiate classic to nearly black oxblood and warm, woody chestnuts. 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 maroon sits in a crowded part of the spectrum. Maroon is a dark brownish-red — the web and X11 standard value is #800000 — and it is frequently confused with burgundy and oxblood. The difference comes down to undertone: maroon leans warm and brown, burgundy leans cool and purple, and oxblood goes darker still. If you need that distinction spelled out, see our comparisons of maroon vs burgundy and red vs maroon. Throughout this guide, “shades of maroon” covers every named variation in that dark-red 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, but always check a physical proof — dark reds shift noticeably between screen and press.
Classic and true maroons
These are the core maroons most people picture — the collegiate, slightly brown dark reds used in sports, academia, and heritage branding.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maroon | #800000 | 128, 0, 0 | Web-standard brownish dark red; collegiate, classic. |
| X11 Maroon | #B03060 | 176, 48, 96 | Brighter pink-leaning maroon; vivid, retro. |
| Pale Carmine | #AD2E24 | 173, 46, 36 | Warm mid maroon; lively, confident. |
| Cardinal Maroon | #9B2D30 | 155, 45, 48 | Sporty bright maroon; energetic, bold. |
| Redwood | #A45A52 | 164, 90, 82 | Soft muted maroon; earthy, gentle. |
| UP Maroon | #7B1113 | 123, 17, 19 | Deep institutional maroon; serious, traditional. |
Deep and dark maroons
Pushed toward black, these maroons signal richness and drama — ideal for luxury, leather, and moody editorial palettes.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxblood | #4A0000 | 74, 0, 0 | Very deep blackened red; rich, premium. |
| Blood Maroon | #660000 | 102, 0, 0 | Intense dark red; dramatic, weighty. |
| Dark Maroon | #5C0511 | 92, 5, 17 | Deep cool maroon; sophisticated, formal. |
| Dark Sienna | #3C1414 | 60, 20, 20 | Near-black brown-maroon; grounded, moody. |
| Dark Scarlet | #6E0B14 | 110, 11, 20 | Deep warm maroon; vivid depth. |
| Seal Brown Maroon | #420D09 | 66, 13, 9 | Very dark brown-red; rustic, antique. |
Brown-leaning maroons
Where maroon warms toward brown you get chestnut, mahogany, and chocolate tones — woody, natural, and grounded.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chestnut | #954535 | 149, 69, 53 | Warm reddish-brown; woody, organic. |
| Mahogany | #C04000 | 192, 64, 0 | Rich red-brown; furniture, heritage. |
| Chocolate Maroon | #7B3F00 | 123, 63, 0 | Deep brown-red; warm, comforting. |
| Sienna Maroon | #882D17 | 136, 45, 23 | Earthy clay-red; rustic, natural. |
| Sienna | #A0522D | 160, 82, 45 | Web-standard warm brown-red; classic. |
| Rosewood | #65000B | 101, 0, 11 | Dark wine-brown; refined, antique. |
Wine-leaning maroons
Cooler maroons that tip toward burgundy and purple — these read as the most luxurious and sophisticated of the family.
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burgundy | #800020 | 128, 0, 32 | Wine red with purple undertone; premium. |
| Wine | #722F37 | 114, 47, 55 | Muted dark maroon; warm, vintage. |
| Merlot | #5E2129 | 94, 33, 41 | Deep wine maroon; rich, elegant. |
| Ruby Maroon | #9B111E | 155, 17, 30 | Jewel-toned maroon; luxury, vivid. |
| Tyrian Maroon | #5B0A2D | 91, 10, 45 | Purple-leaning deep maroon; regal. |
| Old Mauve | #673147 | 103, 49, 71 | Dusty wine-maroon; muted, editorial. |
What are the most popular shades of maroon?
The most-used named maroons in design are maroon (#800000), burgundy (#800020), oxblood (#4A0000), chestnut (#954535), and mahogany (#C04000). Classic maroon dominates collegiate, sports, and heritage identities; burgundy and oxblood carry luxury and wine; chestnut and mahogany bring a warm, woody naturalness to leather, furniture, and rustic palettes. Bright maroons feel energetic and sporty, while deep maroons project prestige and age.
Maroon’s appeal is that it reads as red’s grown-up cousin: it keeps red’s warmth and confidence but trades urgency for gravitas. That makes it a favorite for universities, sports teams, and law firms that want strength without aggression, and for fashion and spirits brands that want richness without the loudness of pure red. Choosing a maroon is really choosing how warm or how regal you want that depth to feel.
It is worth knowing the history, too, because it explains why so many close hexes exist. The name comes from the French marron, meaning chestnut, which is why classic maroon carries a brownish warmth rather than the cooler, wine-driven character of burgundy. The web (HTML 4 / CSS) standard fixed maroon at #800000, but the older X11 specification used a much brighter pink-leaning maroon at #B03060 — so the same word can produce visibly different colors depending on which system a tool follows. When you specify maroon for a client, give the exact hex rather than the name alone, especially for anything heading to print or embroidery, where dark reds are notoriously hard to match.
How to use shades of maroon in design
Maroon is a confident anchor color rather than an accent. Pair a deep oxblood or burgundy with cream, gold, and charcoal for an instantly premium palette, or warm it up with chestnut and tan for a rustic, heritage feel. Because maroon is dark, it works beautifully as a background with light type laid over it — far better than as small text on white.
Practical guidance: maroon’s near-complement is a muted teal or sage green, which gives rich contrast without the harshness of true red-green. For type, maroon at #800000 or darker stays readable on light backgrounds, while wine and merlot tones add sophistication to headings. If you want maroon to feel modern rather than traditional, pair it with blush pink and warm gray instead of gold. For neighboring families, see our references on shades of burgundy and shades of olive, which pair unexpectedly well with maroon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for maroon?
The standard web and X11 hex code for maroon is #800000, which is RGB 128, 0, 0. It is a dark, slightly brownish red. Note that some systems use a brighter X11 “maroon” at #B03060, so confirm which value your tool expects.
What is the difference between maroon and burgundy?
Maroon (#800000) is a brownish dark red that leans warm, while burgundy (#800020) is a wine-inspired dark red with a cooler, purple undertone. Maroon feels collegiate and earthy; burgundy feels refined and luxurious. See our full maroon vs burgundy comparison for examples.
Is oxblood the same as maroon?
No. Oxblood (#4A0000) is significantly darker and deeper than standard maroon, almost approaching black-red. Both sit in the dark-red family, but oxblood reads as more dramatic and premium, while maroon is lighter and more clearly recognizable as red.
Which shade of maroon is best for a logo?
For heritage and authority, classic maroon (#800000) or UP maroon (#7B1113) work well for schools and institutions. For luxury, deep oxblood (#4A0000) or burgundy (#800020) convey premium sophistication. Choose by how warm versus how refined you want the identity to feel.
What colors go well with maroon?
Maroon pairs beautifully with cream, gold, and charcoal for luxury, and with tan, olive, and forest green for an earthy, heritage look. Navy creates a deep, classic contrast, while blush pink and warm gray modernize it for contemporary palettes.
