Scarlet Color
Scarlet is a red color with hex code #BE0119. This page covers its meaning, all color values, harmonies, colors that go with scarlet, shades, tints, similar colors, CSS examples, FAQs, and WCAG contrast ratios.
Scarlet Color Values
What Does Scarlet Mean?
Scarlet belongs to the red family of colors. Reds grab attention faster than anything else on the spectrum. It's why clearance tags, warning signs, and buy buttons lean on red tones, and why painters reach for red when a focal point has to carry a composition. Reds also advance visually, stepping forward while cooler hues recede into the background. Scarlet sits at a mid-lightness, which keeps it readable on both white and black without much fuss.
In the ISCC-NBS color naming system, Scarlet is classified as a red (nearest centroid: vivid red, #BE0032). It is also known as Red Tolumnia Orchid.
Color Harmonies
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Colors That Go With Scarlet
Scarlet and #01BCA3 are complements, parked opposite each other on the wheel. Together they hit maximum contrast, so a rough 70/30 split keeps the pairing from shouting.
Analogous neighbors — #BC0177 and #BC4501, which sit beside scarlet on the wheel. Pairings like this feel calm and settled, which suits backgrounds and gradients.
For an energetic three-color palette, pair scarlet with triadic partners #1ABC01 and #011ABC. All three sit evenly spaced around the wheel, so the scheme stays lively without clashing.
Build and test these combinations in our Color Wheel Tool or check text readability with the Contrast Checker.
Tints and Shades
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Similar Colors
- Monza —
#C7031E(Delta E 3) - Darkish Red —
#A90308(Delta E 8) - Milano Red —
#B81104(Delta E 8) - Thunderbird —
#C02B18(Delta E 8) - Guardsman Red —
#BA0101(Delta E 9)
CSS Examples
.text { color: #BE0119; }
.background { background-color: #BE0119; }
.border { border: 2px solid #BE0119; }
.shadow { box-shadow: 0 4px 6px #BE011940; }WCAG Contrast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for scarlet?
Scarlet has the hex code #BE0119. In RGB notation it is rgb(190, 1, 25), in HSL it is hsl(352, 99%, 37%), and its OKLCH value is 0.505, 0.205, 26.
What does the color scarlet mean?
Red-family colors like scarlet carry distinct psychological associations. Scarlet belongs to the red family of colors. Reds grab attention faster than anything else on the spectrum. It's why clearance tags, warning signs, and buy buttons lean on red tones, and why painters reach for red when a focal point has to carry a composition. Reds also advance visually, stepping forward while cooler hues recede into the background. Scarlet sits at a mid-lightness, which keeps it readable on both white and black without much fuss.
What colors go with scarlet?
Scarlet has three easy routes: its complement #01BCA3 for punch, its neighbors #BC0177 and #BC4501 for something calmer, or triadic partners #1ABC01 and #011ABC when you want energy.
Is scarlet a standard web color?
No — Scarlet is not a CSS keyword. Use its hex value #BE0119 or any RGB/HSL equivalent in your stylesheets.
How do I make scarlet lighter or darker?
To lighten scarlet, add white to create tints; to darken it, add black to create shades. The tints and shades table above shows five computed steps of each, from #FFCCD3 (lightest tint) to #1E0004 (darkest shade).
About Scarlet
Scarlet is classified as a Red in the ISCC-NBS color naming system, within the Red hue family. It has alternative names including Red Tolumnia Orchid. The color is recognized by XKCD, meodai.
Use our Color Converter to convert #BE0119 to any other color format, or explore the Color Wheel to find harmonious color combinations.