Carmine
HEX: #960018 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#960018
150, 0, 24
350°, 100% ,58%
0, 100, 84, 41.18
About Carmine
Carmine (#960018) is a color with RGB(150, 0, 24) and HSL(350.4°, 100%, 58.82%). It is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Neon styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #00967E, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #189600 and #001896. The name comes from carminium (Latin).
- HEX: #960018
- RGB: 150, 0, 24
- HSL: 350.4°, 100%, 58.82%
- Mood: Energetic, Bold
- Style: Vivid, Neon
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #00967E
- Triadic colors: #189600, #001896
- The name comes from carminium (Latin).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #960018 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'carmine' derives from the Medieval Latin 'carminium', which itself is thought to be an alteration of Arabic 'qirmiz' (crimson), influenced by Latin 'minium' (cinnabar, red lead). The Arabic 'qirmiz' is the source of many words for red and crimson in European languages, referring to the dye obtained from the kermes insect. Carmine specifically refers to a vivid crimson red color, and also to the dye itself, which is obtained from the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus). This dye was highly valued for its intensity and permanence, especially in textiles and paints. Its use became widespread after the Spanish conquest of Mexico, where cochineal was a traditional dye.
First Recorded Use
15th Century
Cultural Associations
Carmine has been a significant color in art, textiles, and cosmetics for centuries. Its rich, deep red hue has been associated with luxury, power, and passion. In painting, carmine pigments were used by Old Masters for their brilliance. In fashion, carmine fabrics were a sign of wealth. The cochineal dye, from which carmine is derived, was one of the most important exports from the New World to Europe for centuries, rivaling silver in economic importance at times. It was a key ingredient in the iconic red coats of the British army.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #960018;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #960018;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #960018;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#960018,
#2DFFDD
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#960018,
#2DFFDD
);
}// SCSS variable
$carmine: #960018;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$carmine-r: 150;
$carmine-g: 0;
$carmine-b: 24;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $carmine;
color: rgba($carmine-r, $carmine-g, $carmine-b, 0.8);
}