The Burgundy Color Code: HEX, RGB, CMYK

Burgundy color is a warm, dark red with purple undertones, sitting at hue 345 degrees on the color wheel with RGB values of (128, 0, 32).

It combines red and a trace of blue, producing a deep wine red that reads richer and more complex than standard dark red shades.

Few colors carry this much weight across fashion, interior design, and branding at the same time. Burgundy does, consistently.

This guide covers everything from hex codes and color palettes to color psychology, mixing techniques, and real design applications, so you leave with everything you need to use it well.

Burgundy Color Codes

Burgundy (#800020) sits at a hue angle of 345 degrees on the color theory wheel, placing it firmly in the red family with subtle purple leanings. It carries full 100% saturation and a lightness of just 25%, which is why it reads so dark and rich on screen and in print.

Understanding its exact values matters a lot when you’re working across different mediums. A deep wine red that looks great on screen can shift dramatically in print if you’re not watching your CMYK values closely.

• RGB: rgb(128, 0, 32)
• HEX: #800020
• CMYK: C:0% M:100% Y:75% K:50%
• HSL: hsl(345, 100%, 25%)
• Pantone: PMS 19-1617 TCX

The RGB color model tells you it’s built almost entirely from red light (128 out of 255), with a small blue contribution (32) and zero green. That’s exactly what gives it the faint purple shift you notice when comparing it next to a true dark red.

For print work, those CMYK values (0/100/75/50) mean you’re pushing maximum magenta and heavy black ink. Worth testing on your specific paper stock first. Coated paper will hold the depth; uncoated stock tends to pull it slightly warmer and muddier.

If you need to convert between formats, tools like the RGB to HEX Converter or the HEX to RGB Converter make that straightforward. For print prep, the RGB to CMYK converter is your friend before sending anything to press.

The HSL representation (345 degrees, 100% saturation, 25% lightness) is useful when you want to build tints and shades programmatically. Adjusting lightness while keeping the hue fixed is the cleanest way to develop a color palette around burgundy without things going muddy.

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Burgundy Color Palettes

Burgundy holds up across all major color theory harmony types. It pairs with authority and doesn’t need much help to read as intentional. Below are the core harmony schemes built around #800020.

Looking for more palette inspiration? Check out warm color palettes, dark color palettes, autumn color palettes, and wedding color palettes for ready-to-use combinations that work well with burgundy tones.

You can also explore related palette themes like vintage color palettes and muted color palettes, both of which naturally overlap with burgundy’s character. Or use a color palette generator to build custom combinations starting from #800020.

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Burgundy Shades

Burgundy encompasses multiple variations including deep wine red, vivid burgundy, dark burgundy, oxblood, muted rosewood, and light berry tones.

Each variation differs in saturation, brightness, and undertone composition, with some leaning cooler toward purple and others warmer toward brown, creating distinct effects across applications.

The tints lean toward dusty rose and berry, while the shades push into near-black territory. Tones (mixed with gray) produce a muted rosewood that works well in sophisticated, understated contexts.

For related shades, see also maroon, crimson red, dark red, cherry, and blood red.

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What Are the Primary Attributes of Burgundy?

Burgundy has five primary attributes: deep red hue (from the wine region of France), purple undertones (from blue pigment in its RGB composition), high saturation, very low lightness at 25%, and warm-cool duality.

That last one is what makes it interesting to work with. Most colors sit clearly in one camp. Burgundy sits in both, depending on what you place it next to.

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How Is Burgundy Used in Interior Design?

Burgundy functions as both a statement color and an accent neutral in interior design, creating warm, intimate spaces that make large rooms feel grounded.

Designers use it for upholstered furniture, accent walls, curtains, and rugs to establish a sense of depth and sophistication across traditional, transitional, and modern interiors.

It does particularly well in dining rooms and living rooms. Something about that deep red-wine tone makes a space feel like it has been lived in, in a good way. Pair it with gold hardware, cream walls, or navy blue accents for the best results.

In work environments, a burgundy accent wall can reduce eye strain while adding sophistication, according to color psychology research in interior settings. It is a genuinely underrated office color.

Useful starting points for complementary palettes: earth color palettes, neutral color palettes, and night color palettes.

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What Psychology and Emotions Does Burgundy Evoke?

Burgundy evokes feelings of sophistication, ambition, passion, and warmth through its association with aged wine, historical power, and formal settings.

Color psychology research indicates burgundy promotes focus and emotional depth, stimulates appetite in dining contexts, and creates environments that support both comfort and authority simultaneously.

Culturally, it carries different weight depending on region. In Western contexts, it signals luxury and professional power. In Eastern cultures, including Japan, it often appears in ceremonies and represents devotion and connection to family history.

The color combines the energy of red with the stability of brown and the mystery of purple. That mix produces something that feels serious but not cold, passionate but not impulsive.

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How Is Burgundy Applied in Fashion and Clothing?

Burgundy serves as a year-round wardrobe staple in fashion, offering depth and versatility through outerwear, tailoring, knitwear, footwear, and accessories.

Fashion designers use burgundy for its ability to shift between seasons, its strong compatibility with both warm and cool skin undertones, and its capacity to read as formal or casual depending on fabric and cut.

It became associated with luxury and aristocracy in the 19th century and has never really left. These days it shows up everywhere from runway suits to everyday boots. I have seen it work on people who swear they “can’t wear red.” Burgundy is different enough from true red that it tends to flatter a wider range of complexions.

For street style and everyday wear, it pairs naturally with gray, brown, and black. For more editorial looks, try it against mustard yellow or olive green.

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What Colors Complement and Contrast With Burgundy?

Burgundy complements gold, cream, navy blue, forest green, and blush pink, while contrasting effectively with teal, mustard yellow, and bright white.

These combinations create rich, purposeful palettes that use burgundy’s dual warm-cool character to either harmonize or create dynamic visual tension.

Complementary Colors

Burgundy + Gold

• Color Theory Basis: Analogous warm tones with high contrast in brightness
• Visual Effect: Luxurious, regal, formal
• Best Applications: Branding, wedding design, packaging, formal interiors
• Ratio Recommendations: 70% burgundy, 30% gold
• Example Uses: Award ceremonies, high-end product packaging, hotel lobbies

Burgundy + Cream

• Color Theory Basis: High-value contrast, warm neutrals softening a rich hue
• Visual Effect: Soft, refined, approachable luxury
• Best Applications: Wedding palettes, bedroom design, editorial layouts
• Ratio Recommendations: 60% cream, 40% burgundy
• Example Uses: Stationery, bridal fashion, interior textiles

Burgundy + Navy Blue

• Color Theory Basis: Both are deep, saturated jewel tones with low lightness
• Visual Effect: Rich, classic, authoritative
• Best Applications: Menswear, formal branding, academic or institutional design
• Ratio Recommendations: Equal split, or 60/40 depending on context
• Example Uses: University branding, formal wear, editorial design

Burgundy + Forest Green

• Color Theory Basis: Split-complementary relationship, earthy and grounded
• Visual Effect: Natural, vintage, warm
• Best Applications: Autumn design, packaging, home decor
• Ratio Recommendations: 50/50 with a neutral bridge
• Example Uses: Fall wedding decor, nature-themed branding, book covers

Contrasting Colors

Burgundy + Teal

• Contrast Type: Near-complementary, cool vs. warm
• Visual Impact: Bold, unexpected, high energy
• Best Applications: Graphic design, fashion editorial, social media visuals
• Balance Strategies: Use teal sparingly as an accent; let burgundy dominate

Burgundy + Mustard Yellow

• Contrast Type: Split-complementary
• Visual Impact: Warm, earthy tension with high visual interest
• Best Applications: Autumn fashion, retro branding, home textiles
• Balance Strategies: Keep mustard as a 10% accent; avoid equal proportions

Burgundy + White

• Contrast Type: Value contrast (dark vs. light)
• Visual Impact: Clean, high-contrast, modern
• Best Applications: Typography-heavy layouts, minimalist design, signage
• Balance Strategies: White as background keeps burgundy from feeling heavy

Color Scheme Types

• Monochromatic: Use tints (#BF6070), the original (#800020), and shades (#33000D) for layered depth without friction. Works well in monochrome-focused layouts.
• Analogous: Combine with analogous neighbors like crimson and plum for a rich, harmonious red-purple spectrum.
• Triadic: Pair with forest green and cobalt blue for a bold, structured palette. Requires careful balance.
• Split-Complementary: Use teal and mint alongside burgundy for a balanced palette with contrast that does not overwhelm.
• Tetradic: Add gold and dark teal to the burgundy/green pair for a fully saturated, four-color scheme. Use this one carefully.

Practical Pairing Guidelines

• 60-30-10 Rule: Burgundy as 10% accent against neutral walls (60%) and secondary tones like gray or cream (30%) works well in interiors and brand layouts
• Accent Color Strategy: Use burgundy for call-to-action buttons, borders, or headings to draw attention with visual emphasis
• Neutral Bridging: Warm grays, taupes, and off-whites connect burgundy to other bold colors without visual clashing

Explore additional pairing ideas in red color palettes, purple color palettes, and brown color palettes.

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How Does Burgundy Differ From Similar Warm Colors?

Burgundy differs from maroon (brown undertones instead of purple), crimson (brighter and less muted), scarlet (more orange-leaning), and oxblood (deeper brown-red shift) through its specific balance of red, purple, and darkness that creates its distinctive wine-like quality.

Also compare: red, rose red, dark pink, and red brown for the full spectrum of options around burgundy.

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How Do You Create Burgundy in Different Mediums?

Create burgundy by mixing cadmium red with ultramarine blue and a touch of black in paint, using HEX #800020 in digital design, or setting RGB values to (128, 0, 32) in screen-based applications, ensuring red dominates the mixture.

Acrylic Paint

• Base colors needed: Cadmium red (or permanent alizarin crimson), ultramarine blue, small amount of black
• Mixing ratios: Approx. 4-5 parts red, 1-1.25 parts blue, 0.25 parts black
• Step-by-step: Start with red on palette. Add ultramarine blue incrementally and blend fully. Add black last, in tiny amounts, to darken.
• Common mistakes: Adding too much black too fast kills the richness; adding equal parts blue creates purple instead of burgundy
• Adjustment tips: More blue pulls it cooler and more purple; more red keeps it warmer and wine-like

Use a palette knife, not a brush, for mixing. Mixing with a brush destroys bristles and makes it harder to control ratios accurately.

Oil Paint

• Pigments required: Cadmium Red Deep or Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue or Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black
• Mixing technique: Same ratios as acrylic, but work slowly. Oils are more forgiving.
• Drying considerations: Alizarin Crimson can shift slightly cooler as it dries; compensate by mixing slightly warm

Alizarin Crimson leans naturally toward burgundy out of the tube. Add minimal blue and you are already most of the way there.

Watercolor

• Pigment selection: Perylene Maroon or Quinacridone Red as a base (both are single-pigment and clean)
• Dilution ratios: Use very little water for deep, concentrated color; high water ratio produces rosewood tints
• Layering technique: Build from lighter washes and layer to deepen; add a touch of Indigo for dark shadow areas

Perylene Maroon from Daniel Smith is the cleanest route to watercolor burgundy I have come across. Minimal dilution, rich result.

Gouache

Use the same pigment base as watercolor but with minimal water. Gouache dries opaque, which means your burgundy will read flatter and more matte than oils or acrylics. That can actually be a strength for illustration work or flat graphic applications. Adjust by adding a small amount of white to shift toward rosewood tones.

Print / CMYK

• Cyan: 0%
• Magenta: 100%
• Yellow: 75%
• Black: 50%
• Printing considerations: Test on both coated and uncoated stock before final print run; uncoated paper absorbs more ink and shifts the tone warmer
• Pantone matching: PMS 19-1617 TCX (closest standard Pantone match)

Use the CMYK to RGB converter to check screen representation before printing, and verify your output with a physical Pantone swatch rather than trusting monitor preview alone.

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What Are the Best Practices for Using Burgundy in Design?

Best practices for burgundy include using it as a dominant color paired with light neutrals, limiting it to 10-30% in multi-color layouts, checking contrast ratios for text legibility, and anchoring it with warm grays or gold accents.

Designers should test color performance across both light and dark backgrounds, verify color contrast meets WCAG accessibility standards for text, and ensure print outputs are confirmed against a physical Pantone swatch before final production.

A few things I have learned from using it in actual projects:

• Burgundy text on white is generally fine for large display type but can struggle at small sizes. Always check your contrast ratio.
• White text on a burgundy background works well. It reads cleanly and feels upscale.
• In web design, burgundy as a button color converts well for premium or luxury products. Less so for SaaS tools or tech platforms, where blue still dominates.
• Using burgundy as a focal point in a predominantly neutral layout creates strong visual hierarchy without needing to fight for attention.
• Respect balance principles. Heavy use of burgundy in small spaces feels oppressive. Give it room.

For layout structure principles that pair well with rich color choices like this, look into grid systems, white space, and contrast fundamentals.

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What Role Does Burgundy Play in Branding and Marketing?

Burgundy plays a premium positioning role in branding and marketing, communicating sophistication, authority, and exclusivity to consumers.

Marketing research indicates burgundy reduces perceived risk in purchasing decisions, making it effective for financial services, wine, cosmetics, and luxury retail brands seeking a perception of heritage and high quality.

You see it regularly in fashion house identities, premium wine labels, and financial institution materials. It hits a specific target: established, serious, not trying too hard.

For branding work, it pairs well with serif typography and restrained layout. Check out brand guidelines and brand style guide best practices to understand how to deploy it consistently.

A mood board built around burgundy typically pulls in aged leather, dark wood, candlelight, and fine paper textures. That material context tells you a lot about which brand contexts it fits and which it does not.

For further reference on how burgundy interacts with other identity colors, see gold color palettes, cool gray, and ivory as frequent brand companions.

FAQ on Burgundy Color

What is the hex code for burgundy?

The standard burgundy hex code is #800020. Its RGB values are (128, 0, 32) and its HSL representation is hsl(345, 100%, 25%). These values ensure consistent color reproduction across digital platforms, web design tools, and screen-based applications.

What colors make burgundy?

Burgundy is made by mixing red with a small amount of blue and a touch of black. In acrylic or oil paint, use roughly 4-5 parts cadmium red, 1 part ultramarine blue, and a minimal amount of black to achieve the deep wine red tone.

What is the difference between burgundy and maroon?

Burgundy has purple undertones, while maroon leans toward brown-red. Burgundy reads cooler and more sophisticated. Maroon reads warmer and earthier. Side by side, the difference is clear, though in low lighting the two shades can appear nearly identical.

What colors go well with burgundy?

Burgundy pairs well with gold, cream, navy blue, forest green, and blush pink. For contrast, try it with mustard yellow or teal. These combinations work across interior design, fashion, and branding without losing the color’s natural richness.

What does burgundy symbolize?

Burgundy symbolizes sophistication, power, ambition, and warmth. It carries associations with wealth and luxury, rooted in its connection to fine wine from the Burgundy region of France. In Eastern cultures, it also represents devotion, family, and ceremonial respect.

Is burgundy a warm or cool color?

Burgundy sits in both camps, which is what makes it tricky. Its red base is warm, but the purple undertones introduce a cool shift. Placed next to browns, it reads cool. Next to blues and greens, it reads warm. Context determines everything.

What is the CMYK value for burgundy?

Burgundy’s CMYK values are C:0%, M:100%, Y:75%, K:50%. These values apply maximum magenta and heavy black ink. Always test on your specific paper stock first, since uncoated paper absorbs more ink and shifts the tone slightly warmer and less precise.

What is the closest Pantone color to burgundy?

The closest Pantone match to standard burgundy (#800020) is PMS 19-1617 TCX. For print work, always verify against a physical Pantone swatch rather than relying on screen preview, since monitor calibration can shift the perceived tone significantly.

How is burgundy used in interior design?

Burgundy works as an accent wall color, upholstery shade, or textile tone in living rooms and dining spaces. It adds depth and warmth without overpowering a room. It pairs naturally with warm neutrals, dark wood furniture, and gold accents for a refined, layered interior look.

Is burgundy in style for 2026?

Yes. Burgundy is one of the dominant color trends heading into 2026, appearing across runway fashion, interior design palettes, and brand identity updates. Its ability to shift between bold statement and grounding neutral makes it relevant for both modern and classic design directions.

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Conclusion

This article on burgundy color has covered everything from its exact color codes and shades to its role in branding, fashion, and interior spaces.

It is a deep wine red that carries genuine versatility, whether you are building a color palette from scratch or refining an existing one.

The saturation and low lightness give it authority without aggression. That balance is rare.

From complementary color schemes to mixing pigments in watercolor, the principles here apply whether you work digitally or by hand.

Used well, this rich dark red shade adds depth, warmth, and a sense of quality to almost any design context. Few warm tones do that as consistently.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008.

Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.

His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.

He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.

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