Puce
HEX: #CC8899 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#CC8899
204, 136, 153
345°, 40% ,66%
0, 33, 25, 20
About Puce
Puce (#CC8899) is a color with RGB(204, 136, 153) and HSL(345°, 40%, 66.7%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Logo, Print. Its complementary color is #88CCBB, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #99CC88 and #8899CC. The name comes from puce (French).
- HEX: #CC8899
- RGB: 204, 136, 153
- HSL: 345°, 40%, 66.7%
- Mood: Romantic
- Style: Warm
- Use case: Text, Logo, Print
- Complementary color: #88CCBB
- Triadic colors: #99CC88, #8899CC
- The name comes from puce (French).
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 #CC8899 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The color 'puce' is said to have originated in France during the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The story goes that Marie Antoinette had a dress of this particular brownish-pinkish-purple color, and when asked what color it was, she replied 'couleur puce' (flea color). This was supposedly inspired by the color of a flea, or more specifically, the color of a flea engorged with blood. The color became fashionable in France and subsequently in other parts of Europe. It's a somewhat ambiguous color, often described as a dark pinkish-brown, reddish-brown, or purplish-brown, reflecting the varied interpretations of its namesake.
First Recorded Use
1770s
Cultural Associations
The name 'puce' is a classic example of how colors can be named after unexpected or even slightly grotesque natural phenomena, yet still become fashionable. Its association with Marie Antoinette gives it a historical, if somewhat morbid, aristocratic flair. It's not a widely used color name in contemporary fashion or design, but it holds a place in historical color palettes and literature.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #CC8899;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #CC8899;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #CC8899;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#CC8899,
#88CCBB
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#CC8899,
#88CCBB
);
}// SCSS variable
$puce: #CC8899;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$puce-r: 204;
$puce-g: 136;
$puce-b: 153;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $puce;
color: rgba($puce-r, $puce-g, $puce-b, 0.8);
}