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Orange and Salmon

Contrasting color combination with 1.30:1 contrast ratio

#FFA500
#FF796C

Color Values

Orange
HEX #FFA500
RGB 255, 165, 0
HSL 39, 100%, 50%
Salmon
HEX #FF796C
RGB 255, 121, 108
HSL 5, 100%, 71%

Harmony: Contrasting

These colors sit far enough apart on the wheel to create clear contrast without falling into a named harmony. The pairing works through difference rather than relationship, which suits designs that want variety over cohesion.

The hue angle between Orange and Salmon is 34 degrees. You can explore these relationships interactively in our Color Wheel Tool.

WCAG Contrast

1.30:1
Orange background with Salmon text
Below AA — decorative use only

UI Preview

Orange surface

Sample text on a orange background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

Salmon surface

Sample text on a salmon background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

Design Tokens

CSS Variables

:root {
  --color-a: #FFA500;
  --color-b: #FF796C;
  --color-a-rgb: 255, 165, 0;
  --color-b-rgb: 255, 121, 108;
}

JSON

{
  "name": "Orange and Salmon",
  "colors": [
    {
      "name": "Orange",
      "hex": "#FFA500",
      "rgb": [
        255,
        165,
        0
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Salmon",
      "hex": "#FF796C",
      "rgb": [
        255,
        121,
        108
      ]
    }
  ],
  "harmony": "Contrasting",
  "contrastRatio": 1.3
}

Explore These Colors

Frequently Asked Questions

Do orange and salmon go together?

Yes. Orange and Salmon form a contrasting color combination. These colors sit far enough apart on the wheel to create clear contrast without falling into a named harmony. The pairing works through difference rather than relationship, which suits designs that want variety over cohesion. The pairing has a WCAG contrast ratio of 1.30:1, which is below the AA threshold for text — use it for decorative purposes rather than text readability.

What is the contrast ratio between orange and salmon?

The WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio between Orange (#FFA500) and Salmon (#FF796C) is 1.30:1. This ratio is below AA. Use the pairing for backgrounds, borders, and decorative elements rather than text-on-background combinations.

How do I use orange and salmon in design?

A safe starting point is the 60/30/10 rule: give one color about 60 percent of the surface area, the other about 30 percent, and reserve the remaining 10 percent for an accent or neutral. If one color is significantly darker, use it for text or structural elements and the lighter one for backgrounds. Test the result with our Contrast Checker if text is involved.

What are the hex and RGB values for orange and salmon?

Orange has the hex code #FFA500 and RGB values rgb(255, 165, 0). Salmon has the hex code #FF796C and RGB values rgb(255, 121, 108). You can copy these directly into CSS or use the design tokens provided on this page.