Color swatch image showing #DC143B with RGB(220,20,59) values

#DC143B Color Meaning and Information

Everything you need to know about #DC143B including values, color harmonies, shades, meanings, and applications in design, branding, and everyday visuals.

#DC143B Color Information

#DC143B RGB value is (220, 20, 59). The hex color red value is 220, green is 20, and blue is 59. Its HSL format shows a hue of 348°, saturation of 83 percent, and lightness of 47 percent. The CMYK process values are 0 percent, 91 percent, 73 percent, 14 percent.

#DC143B color swatch
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#DC143B Color Meaning

Color #DC143B embodies unwavering intensity, institutional gravitas, and chromatic authority. Color #DC143B is a deep, slightly blue-based red historically tied to academia, royalty, and sacrifice—dense, luminous, and impossible to ignore. Unlike scarlet, #DC143B carries dignity; unlike burgundy, #DC143B refuses to fade into decorum. In university and ceremonial contexts, #DC143B hue signals tradition with power: think Harvard banners, military honors, and historic seals. Psychological research confirms that such saturated reds increase perceived authority and memorability in institutional branding. In design systems, color #DC143B functions as a high-authority primary. #DC143B meets WCAG AA contrast standards against white for both headlines and body text, making #DC143B viable for long-form digital reading. Print reproduction is exceptionally stable, especially in letterpress and foil applications where its depth enhances prestige. Consumer studies show alumni and donors respond more emotionally to authentic color #DC143B than to generic reds in fundraising campaigns. Symbolically, color #DC143B represents devotion as discipline. #DC143B is not the red of passion alone but of purpose—ink on charters, blood in veins, dye in banners. In spiritual practice, #DC143B aligns with the root chakra’s committed mode: “I stand for something.” Designers choose color #DC143B when legacy must feel alive, not archived. Its power lies in its precision—a declaration painted in permanence.

Color Conversion

Convert #DC143B across different color models and formats. These conversions help designers work seamlessly between digital and print media, ensuring this color maintains its intended appearance across RGB screens, CMYK printers, and HSL color manipulations.

HEX
#DC143B
RGB
rgb(220, 20, 59)
HSL
hsl(348°, 83%, 47%)
CMYK
cmyk(0%, 91%, 73%, 14%)
HSV
hsv(348°, 91%, 86%)
XYZ
30.5548 16.0317 5.6217
Yxy
16.0317 0.5852 0.3071
Hunter Lab
40.0396 5.7018 1.3966
CIE-Lab
47.0161 70.8971 34.1754

RGB Values & CMYK Values

RGB Values

Red220 / 255 (86%)
86%
Green20 / 255 (8%)
Blue59 / 255 (23%)
23%

CMYK Values

Cyan0 / 100 (0%)
Magenta91 / 100 (91%)
91%
Yellow73 / 100 (73%)
73%
Key (Black)14 / 100 (14%)
14%

Color Variations

#DC143B harmonies come to life through carefully balanced shades, tints, and tones, giving this color depth and flexibility across light and dark variations. Shades add richness, tints bring an airy softness, and tones soften intensity, making it easy to pair in clean, modern palettes.

Color Harmonies

#DC143B harmonies create beautiful relationships with other colors based on their position on the color wheel. Each harmony type offers unique design possibilities, enabling cohesive and visually appealing color schemes.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the color wheel (30° apart)

Complementary

Colors opposite on the color wheel (180° apart)

Split Complementary

Three colors using one base hue and the two hues beside its opposite

Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced (120° apart)

Tetradic

Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel

Square

Four colors evenly spaced (90° apart)

Double Split

Four colors formed from two base hues and the colors next to their opposites

Monochromatic

Variations of a single hue

Contrast Checker

(WCAG 2.1) Test #DC143B for accessibility compliance against white and black backgrounds. Proper contrast ensures this color remains readable and usable for all audiences, meeting WCAG 2.1 standards for both normal and large text applications.

#FFFFFF
#DC143B

Sample Text

This is how your text will look with these colors.

Large Text (18pt+)

4.99:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

Normal Text

4.99:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

UI Components

4.99:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

Color Blindness Simulator

See how #DC143B appears to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. These simulations help create more inclusive designs that consider how this color is perceived across various visual abilities.

Normal Vision

#DC143B

protanopia

#858432

Note: These simulations are approximations. Actual color vision deficiency varies by individual.

CSS Examples

Background Color

background-color: #DC143B;

Text Color

color: #DC143B;

Sample Text

Border Color

border: 2px solid #DC143B;

Box Shadow

box-shadow: 0 4px 6px #DC143B40;

Text Shadow

text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px #DC143B;

Sample Text

Gradient

background: linear-gradient(135deg, #DC143B 0%, #820c24 100%);

#DC143B Color FAQs

Frequently asked questions about #DC143B color meaning, symbolism, and applications. Click on any question to expand detailed answers.