Carmine Red
HEX: #FF0038 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#FF0038
255, 0, 56
346°, 100% ,50%
0, 100, 78, 0
About Carmine Red
Carmine Red (#FF0038) is a color with RGB(255, 0, 56) and HSL(346.8°, 100%, 50%). 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 #00FFC7, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #38FF00 and #0038FF. The name comes from carminium (Latin), carmin (French), carmín (Spanish) (Latin (via French and Spanish)).
- HEX: #FF0038
- RGB: 255, 0, 56
- HSL: 346.8°, 100%, 50%
- Mood: Energetic, Bold
- Style: Vivid, Warm
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #00FFC7
- Triadic colors: #38FF00, #0038FF
- The name comes from carminium (Latin), carmin (French), carmín (Spanish) (Latin (via French and Spanish)).
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 #FF0038 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Carmine is a brilliant crimson pigment derived from carminic acid, which is produced by cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus). These insects are native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico. Indigenous peoples of the Americas used cochineal for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. When the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire, they discovered the vibrant cochineal dye and began exporting it to Europe in the 16th century. It quickly became one of the most valuable exports from the New World, second only to silver. Carmine was highly prized for its intensity and permanence, used in textiles, paints, cosmetics, and food coloring. The exact process of extracting and preparing the dye was a closely guarded secret for a long time. The color 'Carmine Red' specifically refers to this rich, slightly purplish-red hue.
First Recorded Use
The term 'carmine' for the dye itself appeared in European languages around the 14th-16th centuries. 'Carmine Red' as a specific color name likely solidified later, as color naming became more standardized.
Cultural Associations
Carmine has a rich cultural history, symbolizing wealth, power, and luxury due to its cost and vibrancy. It was used extensively in royal robes, religious vestments, and high-status artworks. In art, it was a favorite of Old Masters for depicting drapery and rich fabrics. Its association with blood and passion also gives it symbolic weight. Today, while synthetic dyes are common, natural carmine is still used, particularly in food and cosmetics, often labeled as 'natural red 4' or 'E120'.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #FF0038;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #FF0038;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #FF0038;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#FF0038,
#00FFC7
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#FF0038,
#00FFC7
);
}// SCSS variable
$carmine-red: #FF0038;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$carmine-red-r: 255;
$carmine-red-g: 0;
$carmine-red-b: 56;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $carmine-red;
color: rgba($carmine-red-r, $carmine-red-g, $carmine-red-b, 0.8);
}