Using Oxblood in dark layouts
HEX
#4A0404
RGB
74, 4, 4
HSL
0°, 90%, 15%
HSV
0°, 95%, 29%
Oxblood (#4A0404) is a deep, dark red with brown undertones that exudes sophistication and old-world richness. At just 15% lightness, it works as a premium alternative to black in backgrounds, leather-inspired branding, and editorial design.
Best for
Annual reports, executive presentations, and premium brand materials.
Accessibility
White text on oxblood passes AAA at 16.03:1, so it is safe for dark backgrounds and section headers.
How does oxblood compare to nearby colors?
What is the difference between oxblood and burgundy?
Oxblood (#4A0404) and Burgundy (#800020) are close enough that the split is more about finish than headline contrast: Oxblood feels more dark-anchor value, while Burgundy reads more deep value. Oxblood is the one that can carry a full dark section without blinking; Burgundy is more often the accent or companion swatch. Begin with oxblood when the family needs its current undertone and surface character; keep burgundy for the nearby alternative that shifts the mood without leaving the same hue neighborhood.
What color is oxblood?
Oxblood takes its name from the dark red color of dried ox blood, historically used as a pigment. It is closely associated with leather goods, particularly shoes and handbags, and became a recurring fashion color in autumn/winter collections.
Also known as: Ox Blood, Ox Red. Some sources cite: #4A0000.
What is the hex code for oxblood?
| Format | Value |
|---|---|
| HEX | #4A0404 |
| RGB | rgb(74, 4, 4) |
| HSL | hsl(0°, 90%, 15%) |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(0°, 95%, 29%) |
| CMYK (approx.) | cmyk(0%, 95%, 95%, 71%) |
Convert Oxblood to other color formats
Open the color converter with Oxblood (#4A0404) prefilled to copy RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK, or OKLCH values.
Convert Oxblood in the color converter →What does oxblood mean in design?
Oxblood carries associations of heritage, sophistication, and quiet power. Unlike brighter reds that signal urgency, oxblood communicates depth and maturity — it is the color of well-worn leather, aged wine, and institutional permanence. In design, it conveys premium positioning without the flashiness of burgundy or the severity of black.
How do I use oxblood in code?
| CSS (hex) | color: #4A0404; |
| CSS (rgb) | color: rgb(74, 4, 4); |
| CSS (hsl) | color: hsl(0, 90%, 15%); |
| RGB % | rgb(29%, 2%, 2%) |
| Tailwind | text-[#4A0404] |
| SwiftUI | Color(red: 0.290, green: 0.016, blue: 0.016) |
| UIKit | UIColor(red: 0.290, green: 0.016, blue: 0.016, alpha: 1.0) |
| Android | Color.rgb(74, 4, 4) |
| Compose | Color(0xFF4A0404) |
| Web Safe | #330000 |
Is oxblood accessible?
| Combination | Ratio | AA | AA lg | AAA | AAA lg | UI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AaWhite text on this color | 16.03:1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AaBlack text on this color | 1.31:1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AaThis color as text on white | 16.03:1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AaThis color as text on black | 1.31:1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
WCAG 2.1: AA normal ≥ 4.5:1, AA large text ≥ 3:1, AAA normal ≥ 7:1, AAA large ≥ 4.5:1, UI components ≥ 3:1.
How does oxblood look with color blindness?
Simulated appearance for common types of color vision deficiency. Actual perception varies by individual.
What colors go with oxblood
Gold lifts oxblood without trying to outrun it; the result feels premium because the contrast is more about sheen and warmth than raw brightness.
Cream takes the hard digital edge off oxblood and makes the color feel more printed, paper-backed, and approachable.
Navy blue steadies oxblood by adding a sober dark value, which is why the pair can work beyond alerts and sports-style emphasis.
What colors clash with oxblood
Hot Pink brings a second high-energy note into the palette, so the layout can start feeling noisy before it finds a clear focal point.
Neon Green competes with oxblood so aggressively that the palette never really settles into a clear primary-secondary relationship.
How should I use oxblood in design?
- •Oxblood makes an excellent dark background alternative to black — pair with cream or gold text for a warm, luxurious feel.
- •Use oxblood as an accent in corporate presentations to add richness without the aggressiveness of brighter reds.
- •Combine with navy blue and cream for a classic heritage palette that works across print and digital.
What are good oxblood palettes?
Heritage luxury
Annual reports, executive presentations, and premium brand materials.
Classic editorial
Magazine layouts, thought-leadership content, and heritage brand identities.
Design with oxblood in Moda
Create a presentation or document using oxblood as your accent color. Moda's AI applies your color palette automatically.
Create a design with oxblood →What are the shades and tints of oxblood?
Shades (darker)
Tints (lighter)
Tones (desaturated)
Hue variations
What are the color harmonies for oxblood?
Harmonies are calculated from the base swatch. When a harmony matches a named color page, it links there; otherwise it appears here as a computed reference swatch.
Similar colors
Maroon
Maroon stays very close to oxblood in hue, but it lands lighter, which makes it better for backgrounds, tints, and softer supporting areas than for accents, stronger hierarchy, and firmer structure.
Burgundy
Burgundy stays very close to oxblood in hue, but it lands lighter, which makes it better for backgrounds, tints, and softer supporting areas than for accents, stronger hierarchy, and firmer structure.
Wine
Wine tracks close to oxblood in hue, but the value shift changes where each one earns its place: wine is easier to use for backgrounds, tints, and softer supporting areas, while oxblood holds onto accents, stronger hierarchy, and firmer structure.
Dark Red
Dark Red is close enough to oxblood to keep the palette cohesive, yet the lighter-darker shift still decides whether the family behaves more like atmosphere or more like structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hex code for oxblood?
The hex code for oxblood is #4A0404. In RGB, that's 74 red, 4 green, and 4 blue. The approximate CMYK equivalent is 0% cyan, 95% magenta, 95% yellow, and 71% key (black).
Is oxblood a warm or cool color?
Oxblood reads as warm. It feels most natural with creams, golds, rusts, and other warm accents, while cooler partners like navy or teal create sharper contrast.
Can oxblood work as a dark background color?
Oxblood can work well as a dark background or cover color because it still carries enough identity to feel intentional rather than default black. The main requirement is pairing it with a light, high-contrast text color.
How should I use oxblood in a design?
Oxblood behaves like a dark anchor. It is strongest on covers, headers, or dark UI surfaces where lighter text can do the contrast work cleanly.
Can I use oxblood for text or backgrounds?
Oxblood is strong enough for white text at 16.03:1 contrast, so it can handle dark panels, tags, and section headers without much trouble. As text on white, though, it is usually better reserved for larger headings or short accents than for long paragraphs.
More red colors
Keep exploring color resources
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Browse the full library of color references, pairings, and palettes.
Red colors
Compare oxblood with other red tones.
Brown colors
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Neutral colors
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Orange colors
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Last updated April 6, 2026
Color values are computed from the listed hex code using standard conversion formulas. RGB, HSL, and HSV are exact screen-ready conversions. CMYK is an approximate on-screen reference, not a press-ready print specification. Pairings, palettes, and use-case guidance are heuristic recommendations derived from color relationships, contrast behavior, and common presentation, document, and UI patterns.