Purple and Red

CSS Variables

:root {
  --color-a: #800080;
  --color-b: #FF0000;
  --color-a-rgb: 128, 0, 128;
  --color-b-rgb: 255, 0, 0;
}

JSON

{
  "name": "Purple and Red",
  "colors": [
    {
      "name": "Purple",
      "hex": "#800080",
      "rgb": [
        128,
        0,
        128
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Red",
      "hex": "#FF0000",
      "rgb": [
        255,
        0,
        0
      ]
    }
  ],
  "harmony": "Contrasting",
  "contrastRatio": 2.36
}

Do purple and red go together?

Yes. Purple and Red 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 2.36:1, which is below the AA threshold for text — use it for decorative purposes rather than text readability.

What is the contrast ratio between purple and red?

The WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio between Purple (#800080) and Red (#FF0000) is 2.36:1. This ratio is below AA. Use the pairing for backgrounds, borders, and decorative elements rather than text-on-background combinations.

How do I use purple and red 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 purple and red?

Purple has the hex code #800080 and RGB values rgb(128, 0, 128). Red has the hex code #FF0000 and RGB values rgb(255, 0, 0). You can copy these directly into CSS or use the design tokens provided on this page.