Gamboge Orange (brown)
HEX: #996600 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#996600
153, 102, 0
40°, 100% ,60%
0, 33.33, 100, 40
About Gamboge Orange (brown)
Gamboge Orange (brown) (#996600) is a color with RGB(153, 102, 0) and HSL(40°, 100%, 60%). 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 Smalt (#003399), which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes Green-cyan (#009966) and #660099. The name comes from Gamboge (English).
- HEX: #996600
- RGB: 153, 102, 0
- HSL: 40°, 100%, 60%
- Mood: Energetic, Bold
- Style: Vivid, Neon
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: Smalt (#003399)
- Triadic colors: Green-cyan (#009966), #660099
- The name comes from Gamboge (English).
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 #996600 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Gamboge as a pigment has a long history, particularly in Asian art (e.g., Chinese painting, Thai manuscripts) where it was valued for its vibrant, transparent yellow. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and quickly adopted by artists. The 'orange (brown)' descriptor indicates a darker, perhaps less pure or mixed, shade of the traditional bright gamboge yellow, possibly incorporating other pigments or referring to the raw resin's varied appearance.
First Recorded Use
The word 'gamboge' itself entered English in the early 17th century, derived from 'Camboge', referring to Cambodia, the region where the resin was originally sourced. The specific color 'Gamboge Orange (brown)' is a modern descriptive term for a shade of gamboge.
Cultural Associations
In traditional Asian art, gamboge was often used for its luminous quality, particularly in watercolor and ink wash paintings. Its use in European art also became significant, valued for its transparency and richness. The 'orange (brown)' variation might evoke the natural, earthy tones of the raw resin or its appearance when mixed with other colors to create deeper, warmer hues.
Similar Named Colors
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #996600;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #996600;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #996600;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#996600,
#3377FF
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#996600,
#3377FF
);
}// SCSS variable
$gamboge-orange-(brown): #996600;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$gamboge-orange-(brown)-r: 153;
$gamboge-orange-(brown)-g: 102;
$gamboge-orange-(brown)-b: 0;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $gamboge-orange-(brown);
color: rgba($gamboge-orange-(brown)-r, $gamboge-orange-(brown)-g, $gamboge-orange-(brown)-b, 0.8);
}