The color coral is often debated as being either pink or orange. Many people have different opinions on which color family coral belongs to. In this article, we will analyze the technical definitions of coral, pink, and orange to determine whether coral is closer to pink or orange on the color wheel. We will also look at how coral is classified by experts in the fashion, design, and art industries. By the end, you should have a clear understanding on whether coral is considered pink or orange.
Technical Definitions of Coral, Pink, and Orange
To determine if coral is pink or orange, we first need to look at the technical definitions of each color.
Coral is defined as a color between reddish-orange and orange-pink. On the RGB color wheel, coral has the following values:
| Red: | 255 |
| Green: | 127 |
| Blue: | 80 |
As you can see, coral contains high amounts of red and green, with a lower amount of blue. This gives coral its warm, reddish-orange appearance.
The technical definition of pink is a pale red or reddish-purple color. Pink sits between red and white on the color wheel. On the RGB scale, pink is defined as:
| Red: | 255 |
| Green: | 192 |
| Blue: | 203 |
Pink contains higher amounts of red compared to coral, giving it more of a reddish tone.
Orange is defined as a color between red and yellow. It sits directly between the two on the color wheel. The RGB values for orange are:
| Red: | 255 |
| Green: | 165 |
| Blue: | 0 |
Orange has a high red value, but also a higher green value compared to coral. The lack of blue tones gives orange its warm, citrusy color.
When comparing the technical values of coral, pink, and orange, coral seems to sit in between pink and orange on the color wheel. It contains more red than orange, but not as much as pink. The green value is also between what you would find in pink and orange. This shows that coral is technically halfway between pink and orange.
How Coral is Classified in Fashion and Design
Now that we’ve looked at the technical definitions, how do fashion and design experts classify coral?
In fashion, coral is overwhelmingly considered a member of the orange color family. It is often grouped with peach and terra-cotta as an orange-red shade. Coral and peach give orange a softer, warmer appearance compared to the boldness of red-orange.
Many fashion designers release coral-colored clothing and accessories as part of their orange seasonal color palette. You’ll find coral handbags, shoes, dresses, and jewelry marketed as “orange” or “warm orange”.
The Pantone Color Institute named Pantone 16-1546, a lightish coral, as the 2019 Color of the Year. Pantone described the shade as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” It was categorized as a reddish-orange rather than a pink.
In interior design and decoration, coral is also overwhelmingly classified as a tone of orange. It is commonly used in creating warm, welcoming spaces that emanate brightness and cheer. Designers often recommend coral in combination with other orange shades like terracotta, peach, melon, or saffron.
Coral is especially popular in Mediterranean, tropical, and beach-themed rooms, where the color evokes images of sea coral reefs and sunsets over the ocean. It pairs beautifully with turquoise, navy blue, sage green, and pops nicely against white.
How Coral is Classified in Art
Artists also primarily categorize coral as an orange color. Coral pigments sit on the warm side of the color wheel, leaning towards red-orange.
Many major art brands like Winsor & Newton and Liquitex sell an oil paint pigment labeled as “coral”. However, these coral pigments are all grouped under the orange color category within the product lineup.
For example, Winsor & Newton’s student-grade Winton Oil Color line includes a coral pigment. But it is listed alongside other warm oranges like cadmium orange, Indian orange, and golden ochre. The same goes for professional oil paint brands like Gamblin Artist Colors, which groups its coral pigment within the orange category.
Watercolor brands like Daniel Smith also categorize coral tones like Quinacridone Coral and Perylene Coral as reddish-oranges. Meanwhile, cool pinks are given labels like Opera Pink, Rose of Ultramarine, or Rubenesque.
This naming convention shows that art manufacturers consider coral a shade of orange rather than pink in the world of color pigments. When artists talk about painting with “corals”, they are referring to the warm, orangey side of the color wheel.
Is Coral More Similar to Pink or Orange?
Now that we’ve explored coral’s technical definitions and classification across industries, is coral actually more similar to pink or orange?
While arguments could be made for both sides, the evidence points to coral being generally categorized as a shade of orange rather than pink.
Technically speaking, coral’s hue is halfway between the true pink and orange wavelengths of light. However, it contains more red and green than blue, giving coral a stronger association with orange to the human eye.
Additionally, fashion designers, interior decorators, artists, and color experts across fields overwhelmingly place coral alongside other orange tones like peach, terra-cotta, and red-orange. Coral is rarely categorized alongside cool, blue-based pinks.
There are always individual exceptions based on lighting and personal interpretation. Some people may perceive lighter, softer shades of coral as closer to pink. But in most cases, coral is considered a reddish-orange rather than a pinkish-red.
So next time you need to describe something as coral, opt for calling it orange! It may have a touch of pink, but coral’s warm and fiery personality aligns more closely with its orange cousins.
Conclusion
In summary, while the debate continues, the evidence strongly supports coral as belonging to the orange family. Its technical specifications, use across industries, and classification by experts point towards coral being a reddish-orange tone.
Coral sits between pink and orange on the color wheel but tends to be grouped with its warmer, more orange relatives. So don’t be afraid to call coral furniture, clothing, paints, flowers, or anything else orange!
Of course, there are limited exceptions depending on lighting conditions, personal interpretation, and specific shades of coral. But in general, coral is widely regarded as a lively member of the expansive orange family.
So next time you see this tropical hue, you can confidently call it orange. Just maybe a softer, pinker orange!