Boston University Red

HEX: #CC0000 | Modern Palette

On White
5.89:1
PASS
On Black
3.57:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#CC0000
RGB
204, 0, 0
HSL
0°, 100% ,40%
CMYK
0, 100, 100, 20

About Boston University Red

Boston University Red (#CC0000) is a color with RGB(204, 0, 0) and HSL(0°, 100%, 40%). 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 Robin Egg Blue (#00CCCC), which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #00CC00 and #0000CC. The name comes from Boston University Red (English).

  • HEX: #CC0000
  • RGB: 204, 0, 0
  • HSL: 0°, 100%, 40%
  • Mood: Energetic, Bold
  • Style: Vivid, Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: Robin Egg Blue (#00CCCC)
  • Triadic colors: #00CC00, #0000CC
  • The name comes from Boston University Red (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
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

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 #CC0000 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Energetic Bold
Style
Vivid Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #747400
Protanopia #494909
Tritanopia #CC0000
Achromatopsia #646464

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston University Red (#CC0000) is a color with RGB(204, 0, 0) and HSL(0°, 100%, 40%).

#CC0000 pairs strongly with Robin Egg Blue (#00CCCC) as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#CC0000 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Vivid, Warm styles.

#CC0000 is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold.

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

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Boston University Red
Meaning A specific shade of red associated with Boston University.
Language English
First Recorded Use Early 20th Century

History

Boston University's official colors are scarlet and white. Scarlet has been a prominent color for the university since its early days, reflecting a common choice for academic institutions. The specific shade represented by #cc0000 is a modern digital interpretation of this traditional scarlet. Universities often standardize their colors for branding purposes across all media, from athletic uniforms to official publications and websites. This standardization ensures consistent visual identity.

First Recorded Use

While the exact first use of the specific hex code #cc0000 as 'Boston University Red' is difficult to pinpoint, the university's colors (scarlet and white) were established much earlier. The specific digital representation likely solidified with the rise of digital branding and web design, probably in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

Cultural Associations

This color is deeply ingrained in the identity of Boston University. It is prominently featured in the university's logo, athletic team uniforms (the Boston University Terriers), merchandise, and campus signage. For students, alumni, and faculty, 'Boston University Red' evokes a sense of belonging, school spirit, and tradition. It is a key visual identifier for the institution.

Similar Named Colors
Rosso Corsa #D40000 ΔE 1.66
Venetian Red #C80815 ΔE 3.19
International Orange (engineering) #BA160C ΔE 3.45
Harvard Crimson #C90016 ΔE 3.61

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #CC0000;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #CC0000;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #CC0000;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #CC0000,
        #00CCCC
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #CC0000,
        #00CCCC
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$boston-university-red: #CC0000;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$boston-university-red-r: 204;
$boston-university-red-g: 0;
$boston-university-red-b: 0;

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