Quick Answer
Burnt orange is considered a shade of orange, not red. However, it sits between red and orange on the color spectrum and has qualities of both. So whether burnt orange is classified as red or orange depends on the context. In interior design and fashion, it’s usually treated as a dark orange. But in some color models it falls on the red side. Overall, burnt orange has a reddish-orange appearance that makes it difficult to neatly categorize as just red or just orange.
What is Burnt Orange?
Burnt orange is a dark shade of orange that has a brownish tint. It sits between red and orange on the color wheel and absorbs wavelengths from both areas of the spectrum.
The name “burnt orange” comes from the dark orange-brown color of flames. It’s the color that emerges when orange fire burns long enough to darken.
Burnt orange is created by mixing red and orange paint pigments. The more red is added, the darker and browner the burnt orange becomes. Adding more orange keeps it lighter and more purely orange.
Burnt Orange Color Codes
Burnt orange has RGB values of 204, 85, 0. This means it’s composed of:
– 204 parts red
– 85 parts green
– 0 parts blue
It also has an HEX code of #CC5500.
In the CMYK color model used for printing, burnt orange is made from 0% cyan, 61% magenta, 76% yellow, and 20% black.
So burnt orange contains a large amount of red and yellow/orange, with a smaller amount of black to create the darker shade.
Is Burnt Orange a Shade of Red or Orange?
Whether burnt orange is considered a shade of red or orange often depends on context:
Interior Design
In interior design, burnt orange is usually classified as a darker orange, not a red. It’s described as a warmer, darker version of traditional orange. This is because it retains enough orange character to not be relegated to the red family.
Fashion
Burnt orange is also treated as a type of orange in fashion. It provides a popular alternative to brighter orange shades in clothing and accessories. Burnt orange has an earthy, softer look compared to bright orange.
Color Models
But in some color models, burnt orange is positioned closer to red on the spectrum:
– In the RGB model, burnt orange contains more red (204) than green or blue. This gives it a reddish cast.
– On the RYB color wheel used by artists, burnt orange contains more red and yellow than blue. So it leans more towards the red side.
So in technical terms, burnt orange can be considered a reddish orange. But in general use, “reddish orange” is still usually simplified to just “orange.”
Comparison to Red and Orange
Here’s how burnt orange visually compares to red and orange:
Red – Burnt orange is darker and browner than pure red. Side by side, red looks much more vivid.
Orange – Burnt orange is darker and more muted than orange. Orange pops more while burnt orange is softer.
So burnt orange sits in an intermediate position between the two colors. It absorbs some wavelengths from red and some from orange to create its hybrid appearance.
Uses of Burnt Orange
Some common uses of burnt orange include:
– Interior design – Provides a warm, welcoming look. Especially popular for accent walls and furniture.
– Clothing – Often used for fall collections since it fits the seasons earth tones. Provides a softer alternative to bright orange.
– Marketing – Used to promote a friendly, energetic brand image. Burnt orange feels warmer than red.
– Sports teams – Adopted by schools like University of Texas and Auburn University. Symbolizes enthusiasm and school spirit.
– Food packaging – Used on brands of chips, salsa, barbecue sauce, etc. Signals flavors like spicy, smoky, or tangy.
So in summary, burnt orange straddles the line between red and orange. It borrows qualities from both to achieve its signature earthy, brownish-orange appearance. This can make it hard to neatly classify as just one or the other. But in most cases, burnt orange skews more towards the orange side of the spectrum.
Conclusion
Burnt orange has a distinctly orange appearance, but contains a good amount of red. Whether it’s considered a shade of red, orange, or both depends on the context. In interior design and fashion, burnt orange is treated as a darker orange. But technically, it sits between red and orange on the color spectrum. Overall, burnt orange is best described as a reddish-orange or orange-brown that takes cues from both red and orange.
