Red Hex Code — #FF0000

RGB, HSL, and CMYK values for Red.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

Red Color Values

Format	Value
HEX	#FF0000
RGB	rgb(255, 0, 0)
HSL	hsl(0, 100%, 50%)
CMYK	cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%)

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About Red

Color psychology: Energy, passion, urgency.

Red (#FF0000) is a medium shade of red with a hue angle of 0° on the color wheel, 100% saturation, and 50% lightness. It's commonly used in web design, graphic design, and branding where energy, passion, urgency are desired associations.

In color theory, Red sits in the warm section of the spectrum. Its high saturation makes it vivid and attention-grabbing — ideal for CTAs, headings, and brand accents.

When to Use Red in Design

Web Design

Use Red for headings, links, or accent elements against light backgrounds. Dark colors like this provide strong contrast and draw the eye to important content.

Branding & Logo

Red conveys energy, passion, urgency — consider it for brands that want to project these qualities. Test it at small sizes (favicon, social avatar) to ensure it remains recognizable.

Print Design

Use the CMYK values (C:0% M:100% Y:100% K:0%) for accurate print reproduction in brochures, business cards, and packaging. Request a physical proof — screen colors often appear more vibrant than their printed equivalents.

UI / UX Design

Dark colors like Red are effective for primary buttons, navigation bars, and text. Use a lighter tint (increase HSL lightness to 90%+) for hover backgrounds.

How to Use Red in CSS

/* Using HEX */
color: #FF0000;
background-color: #FF0000;

/* Using RGB */
color: rgb(255, 0, 0);

/* Using HSL — best for creating variations */
color: hsl(0, 100%, 50%);

/* Transparent overlay (50% opacity) */
background-color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5);

/* Lighter variant for hover states */
background-color: hsl(0, 100%, 60%);

/* Darker variant for active states */
background-color: hsl(0, 100%, 40%);

HSL is the most flexible format for creating color systems. By adjusting the lightness value, you can generate an entire shade scale from Red without changing its core hue or saturation.

Colors That Go With Red

Complementary

Analogous

Triadic

Similar Shades of Red

Dark Red

#8B0000

Fire Brick

#B22222

Indian Red

#CD5C5C

Light Coral

#F08080

Maroon

#800000

YouTube Red

#FF0000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for Red?

The hex color code for Red is #FF0000. In CSS, apply it as text color with color: #FF0000;, as a background with background-color: #FF0000;, or as a border with border-color: #FF0000;. Hex is the most widely used color notation on the web because it is compact, supported by every browser, and easy to copy between design tools like Figma, Photoshop, and code editors.

What is Red in RGB and when should I use RGB?

Red in RGB is rgb(255, 0, 0), where Red=255, Green=0, and Blue=0 on a 0-255 scale. Use RGB when you need transparency — rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5) creates a 50% transparent version. RGB is also the native format for HTML canvas, WebGL, and JavaScript image manipulation, since each channel represents the intensity of that primary light color on screen displays.

How to use Red in CSS with different color formats?

Red can be applied in CSS using multiple formats: (1) Hex: color: #FF0000; — most compact and widely used. (2) RGB: color: rgb(255, 0, 0); — useful when calculating colors dynamically in JavaScript. (3) HSL: color: hsl(0, 100%, 50%); — best for creating variations, since adjusting lightness produces lighter or darker shades while keeping the same hue. (4) With transparency: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.8); or hsla(0, 100%, 50%, 0.8); for 80% opacity overlays.

What is the HSL value of Red and why is HSL useful for designers?

Red in HSL is hsl(0, 100%, 50%). HSL stands for Hue (0 degrees on the color wheel), Saturation (100% color intensity), and Lightness (50% brightness). HSL is the most intuitive format for designers because you can create harmonious palettes by rotating the hue, generate hover effects by increasing lightness by 10%, and desaturate colors by reducing the S value. This makes Red a medium, vivid warm-toned color.

What is the CMYK value of Red for print design?

Red in CMYK is C:0% M:100% Y:100% K:0%. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the standard color model for professional printing — business cards, brochures, merchandise, and packaging. When designing for print in Adobe InDesign or Illustrator, use these exact CMYK values to ensure accurate color reproduction. Screen colors (RGB) often appear more vibrant than their printed CMYK equivalents, so always request a physical proof for brand-critical materials.

What colors pair well with Red in design projects?

Red pairs well with white for high contrast, with dark navy for a classic look, or with gold for a premium feel. In UI design, reserve red for error states or destructive actions to maintain user expectations.

Is Red (#FF0000) accessible for web design and WCAG compliant?

Red text on white needs a dark shade (below #CC0000) to meet WCAG AA contrast. Always pair red indicators with an icon or label — about 8% of men have red-green color blindness and may not perceive the color alone. For Red specifically: as a medium shade (lightness: 50%), it can work as a text color on light backgrounds, but verify the exact contrast ratio using a contrast checker tool. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px+ bold or 24px+ regular).

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Written by

Tamanna Tasnim

Senior Full Stack Developer

ToolsContainerDhaka, Bangladesh5+ years experiencetasnim@toolscontainer.com www.toolscontainer.com

Full-stack developer with deep expertise in data formats, APIs, and developer tooling. Writes in-depth technical comparisons and conversion guides backed by hands-on engineering experience across modern web stacks.

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