Red is a color that evokes passion, energy, and excitement. From bright cherry reds to deeper burgundy hues, it is a bold and vibrant color. Scarlet red is a specific shade of red that leans towards the darker end of the red color spectrum. But is it considered a “dark red”? Here we will examine the technical specifications of scarlet red and explore how it compares to other shades of red to determine if it qualifies as a dark red.
Defining Scarlet Red
Scarlet is a rich, warm red with a slightly orange tinge. It is brighter and more vibrant than burgundy, but not as bright as a fire engine red. Technically speaking, scarlet red is defined by the following color codes:
| Hex Code | #FD0E35 |
| RGB | 253, 14, 53 |
| CMYK | 0, 94, 79, 1 |
As you can see, scarlet red is very high in red tone, with a tiny amount of green and more blue than a true orange-red. The high amount of red gives it the bright, warm scarlet tone.
Comparing Scarlet Red to Other Reds
Now let’s see how scarlet red compares to some other popular shades of red:
| Shade | Hex Code | RGB |
| Scarlet | #FD0E35 | 253, 14, 53 |
| Crimson | #DC143C | 220, 20, 60 |
| Ruby | #E0115F | 224, 17, 95 |
| Cherry | #DE3163 | 222, 49, 99 |
| Burgundy | #800020 | 128, 0, 32 |
Looking at the RGB values, you can see scarlet has a very high amount of red, more than crimson, ruby, and cherry red. Burgundy, on the other hand, has a much lower red value, making it noticeably darker.
You’ll also notice scarlet red has a relatively low amount of blue compared to the other shades. More blue would muddy the color and make it darker, while less blue keeps scarlet vivid and radiant.
Is Scarlet Red Considered a Dark Red?
Based on its technical specifications, scarlet red is definitely on the brighter end of the red spectrum. While it isn’t as neon bright as a fire engine red, it is significantly lighter and more vibrant than truly dark reds like burgundy or maroon.
Most color experts would classify scarlet as a warm, light red. Its high amount of red mixed with orange undertones give it a fiery glow, while the small amount of blue keeps it from veering into dark red territory.
Scarlet also has very high luminance or lightness value. On a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white), scarlet red has a lightness value of 47. By comparison, burgundy has a lightness value of just 24. This further indicates scarlet is a lighter, brighter shade of red.
How Scarlet Red is Used
The bold, lively nature of scarlet red makes it a popular choice for catching people’s attention. Here are some of the ways this shade is often used:
– Warnings and alarms – Fire engines, emergency signs, sirens
– Branding – YouTube, Red Hat, Ohio State Athletics
– Fashion – Red carpets, evening gowns, power suits
– Makeup – Lipsticks, blush, nail polish
– Interiors – Accent walls, throw pillows, area rugs
Scarlet’s vibrancy gives it an energetic look that stands out against neutral backdrops. It’s eye-catching without being as overbearing as a fire engine red.
Comparison to Other Dark Reds
To further illustrate that scarlet red is not a dark red, let’s compare it to some true dark reds:
| Shade | Hex Code | RGB |
| Scarlet | #FD0E35 | 253, 14, 53 |
| Oxblood | #4A0012 | 74, 0, 18 |
| Maroon | #800000 | 128, 0, 0 |
| Burgundy | #800020 | 128, 0, 32 |
You can clearly see these dark reds have much lower values for red and minimal blue and green tones. This significantly darkens the shades and makes them feel deeper and richer. Scarlet is quite far away from these colors on the red spectrum.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of its technical specifications and how it compares to other reds, scarlet red is decidedly not a dark red. While it sits on the slightly darker end of light reds, it remains significantly brighter and more vivid than true dark reds like burgundy, oxblood, and maroon. Scarlet’s high amount of red and minimal blue give it a fiery warmth and brightness.
So in summary, no, scarlet red is not considered a dark red. It occupies a space between bright cherry reds and darker crimson/burgundy shades. This makes it perfect for adding bold, lively pops of color that still feel sophisticated and sleek. Scarlet red dresses, lipsticks, logos, and decor elements allow you to harness the power and passion of red, without going too dark and somber.
