Chinese Red

HEX: #AA381E | Modern Palette

On White
6.38:1
PASS
On Black
3.29:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#AA381E
RGB
170, 56, 30
HSL
11°, 82% ,66%
CMYK
0, 67.06, 82.35, 33.33

About Chinese Red

Chinese Red (#AA381E) is a color with RGB(170, 56, 30) and HSL(11.14°, 82.35%, 66.67%). It is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #1E90AA, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #1EAA38 and #381EAA. The name comes from Chinese Red (English).

  • HEX: #AA381E
  • RGB: 170, 56, 30
  • HSL: 11.14°, 82.35%, 66.67%
  • Mood: Energetic, Bold
  • Style: Vivid, Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #1E90AA
  • Triadic colors: #1EAA38, #381EAA
  • The name comes from Chinese Red (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Chinese Red #AA381E is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
 
CHINESE RED
 
 
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
CHINESE RED
 
 
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
 
 
 
 
 
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.
 
 
 
 
 

Color Harmonies

Chinese Red #AA381E pairs with #1E90AA as its complementary color, and #1EAA38 and #381EAA in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

CHINESE RED
Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

CHINESE RED
Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

CHINESE RED
Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

CHINESE RED
Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

CHINESE RED
Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

CHINESE RED

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Chinese Red #AA381E moves from dark #160704 tones through the base color to lighter #FBEDE9 tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

CHINESE RED

Color Characteristics

Mood
Energetic Bold
Style
Vivid Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #6A6A10
Protanopia #4F4F20
Tritanopia #AB3535
Achromatopsia #5F5F5F

Frequently Asked Questions

Chinese Red (#AA381E) is a color with RGB(170, 56, 30) and HSL(11.14°, 82.35%, 66.67%).

#AA381E pairs strongly with #1E90AA as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#AA381E is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Vivid, Warm styles.

#AA381E is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold.

The name Chinese Red is linked to Chinese Red from English, meaning A specific shade of red associated with Chinese culture..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Chinese Red
Meaning A specific shade of red associated with Chinese culture.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th - Early 20th Century (as a named color in English)

History

Red has a profound and ancient history in China, symbolizing good fortune, joy, prosperity, celebration, and protection. It is deeply embedded in Chinese mythology, traditions, and daily life. From the vermilion used in ancient palaces and temples to the red envelopes (hóngbāo) given during Lunar New Year, its presence is ubiquitous. The specific shade often referred to as 'Chinese Red' is a vibrant, warm, and somewhat deep red, often leaning towards an orange-red or a rich scarlet, distinct from cooler or bluer reds. Its use in art, opera costumes, traditional architecture, and national symbols reinforces its identity.

First Recorded Use

The concept of a distinct 'Chinese Red' likely emerged as Westerners began to categorize and describe colors prevalent in Chinese art, textiles, and symbolism. While red has been significant in China for millennia, the specific English term 'Chinese Red' as a named color gained traction during periods of increased cultural exchange and trade.

Cultural Associations

Chinese Red is arguably the most important color in Chinese culture. It is prominently featured during major holidays like Lunar New Year, weddings, and other celebratory events. It is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The Chinese national flag features red, symbolizing the revolution and the blood of martyrs. It is also associated with passion, vitality, and happiness. The color is often paired with gold for an even more auspicious combination.

Similar Named Colors
Rufous #A81C07 ΔE 4.43
International Orange (engineering) #BA160C ΔE 4.57
Dark Pastel Red #C23B22 ΔE 5.01
Carnelian #B31B1B ΔE 5.15

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #AA381E;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #AA381E;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #AA381E;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #AA381E,
        #64D6F0
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #AA381E,
        #64D6F0
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$chinese-red: #AA381E;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$chinese-red-r: 170;
$chinese-red-g: 56;
$chinese-red-b: 30;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $chinese-red;
    color: rgba($chinese-red-r, $chinese-red-g, $chinese-red-b, 0.8);
}