Auburn is a reddish-brown color that falls somewhere between red and orange on the color spectrum. There is often debate over whether auburn should be classified as red or orange. While there is no definitive answer, there are several factors to consider when determining if auburn is closer to red or orange.
The Definition of Auburn
The first step in deciding if auburn is red or orange is looking at dictionary definitions of the color:
- Merriam-Webster defines auburn as “a moderate reddish-brown.”
- Cambridge Dictionary calls it “reddish-brown.”
- Collins Dictionary describes it as “a reddish-brown color.”
These definitions suggest auburn is fundamentally a shade of red, modified by brown tones to make it less vibrant or intense. The inclusion of “reddish” in each definition emphasizes the red undertones.
Position on the Color Wheel
The location of auburn on a traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel also provides insight into whether it is red or orange:
- Auburn falls between the primary colors of red and yellow.
- It contains elements of both red and orange, the color between red and yellow.
- Auburn is much closer physically on the color wheel to red than yellow or orange.
This proximity to red indicates a strong relationship between the two colors that is not shared with orange to the same degree.
Use in Color Theory
Looking at how auburn is classified in color theory is also useful in determining whether it aligns more with red or orange:
- Auburn is considered a tertiary color, meaning it is achieved by combining a primary and secondary color.
- The specific combination is red (primary) and orange (secondary).
- Since red is the base primary color, this supports auburn being more closely linked to red than orange.
Additionally, red and orange are complementary colors, meaning they are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. The fact that auburn falls between them demonstrates how it shares aspects of both shades.
Similar and Related Colors
Looking at colors similar to and related to auburn provides more context:
| Similar colors | Related colors |
|---|---|
| Russet | Red |
| Copper | Orange |
| Mahogany | Brown |
| Terracotta | Peach |
| Burgundy | Maroon |
The similar shades are modifications of red and reddish-browns, while the related colors include red, orange and brown. This further supports the link between auburn and red.
How Auburn is Used
Looking at how auburn is used and described provides more real-world context on whether it aligns more with red or orange:
- Auburn most commonly describes reddish shades of brown hair color.
- It is also used to describe colors like fox fur and autumn leaves, which have reddish-brown hues.
- Auburn is not generally used to describe orange hair, foods or other objects.
The common application to reddish browns again supports auburn’s connection to red versus orange.
Auburn Hex Codes
The hex codes used to produce auburn colors digitally also give information about its alignment with red versus orange:
| Auburn name | Hex code |
|---|---|
| Auburn | #A52A2A |
| Light auburn | #955739 |
| Dark auburn | #883926 |
These hex codes all contain similar red and green values, with the blue component being low. This produces a subtly desaturated red, indicating auburn’s close relationship with red compared to the brighter orange hex codes.
Lighting Conditions
How auburn appears under different lighting provides more context on whether it aligns with red or orange:
- In natural daylight, the red undertones in auburn become cooler and more noticeable.
- Under incandescent light, the warmer orange tones in auburn may become slightly more dominant.
- However, the red base typically remains apparent across lighting conditions.
While different lighting can emphasize the red or orange tones, auburn generally maintains its core red character. Orange elements shift the color towards brown but do not override the redness.
Auburn vs. Red and Orange
Looking closely at how auburn visually compares to true red and orange shades also provides information:
- Auburn is a darker, duller, brownish red while pure red is brighter and more vivid.
- Auburn has a noticeable amount of yellow-orange mixed in compared to a clear orange.
- The brownish tone in auburn comes from its orange content muting the purity of the red.
Visually, auburn exists in an intermediate space between red and orange but fundamentally maintains the red shade that defines it.
Psychology of Color Associations
The psychological associations people make with auburn are more aligned with red than orange:
- Red is associated with energy, passion, strength.
- Orange represents happiness, creativity, vibrance.
- Auburn is seen as earthy, charming, romantic.
While orange is energetic and lively, auburn elicits a subtler, more grounded response related to its root red shade.
Use in Branding and Design
Looking at how auburn is used in branding and design also points to it being a red shade:
- Auburn University’s official colors are burnt orange and navy blue. Auburn represents the red shade.
- Designers recommend auburn in autumn color palettes alongside shades of red and burgundy.
- Auburn is not typically used as a signature orange-centric color for major brands.
These examples demonstrate auburn’s long-established association with red more than orange in branding contexts.
Spectral Reflectance
Examining the spectral reflectance curve of auburn provides further scientific insights:
- Auburn reflects longer red wavelengths near 700 nm most strongly.
- It has a secondary peak in orange wavelengths around 600 nm.
- Reflectance of yellow wavelengths near 550 nm is low.
This curve demonstrates auburn’s underlying red base, with additional orange tones. The lack of substantial green and yellow reflectance confirms its fundamental red character.
Conclusion
While auburn shares some qualities with orange, an examination of its place on the color wheel, use throughout history, spectral properties and other factors demonstrate it is fundamentally a shade of red. The inclusion of orange pushes it towards a more brownish, burnt reddish color, but red wavelengths and undertones remain dominant. Auburn is perhaps best described as a duller, darker shade of red with orange influences as opposed to an orange shade with red added in.
