Dark orange brown is a rich, warm color that combines the energy of orange with the depth of brown. As an earthy tone, it has an organic, grounded quality while still maintaining the vibrancy of orange. Determining the exact specifications of dark orange brown can be nuanced, as there are varying shades that fall into this color family. By analyzing the color wheel, RGB values, HEX codes, and real-world examples, we can get a concrete sense of what defines this gorgeous hue.
The Color Wheel
On the standard color wheel, orange falls between red and yellow. It is considered a secondary color, meaning it is formed by mixing two primary colors – red and yellow. Brown is a tertiary color, created by blending the primary color red with the secondary color orange. When you put these two colors together, the resulting shade sits between orange and brown and is best described as dark orange brown.
Here’s a look at the approximate location of dark orange brown on the color wheel:
| Red | Orange | Yellow | |||
| Dark Orange Brown | |||||
| Violet | Brown | Green |
As you can see, it falls around the periphery between orange and brown, skewing slightly closer to brown. The color wheel is useful for visualization, but to truly define dark orange brown we need to explore technical color specifications.
RGB Values
The best way to accurately identify a digital color is through its RGB values. RGB stands for red, green, and blue – the primary colors used on screens to create all the hues in the visible spectrum. The RGB values specify the intensity of each color on a scale from 0 (none) to 255 (maximum).
For dark orange brown, the RGB codes can vary based on the exact shade. But in general, they fall within these ranges:
| Red: 150-200 |
| Green: 70-100 |
| Blue: 0-55 |
The high red and green values give this color its warm, orangey feel. The low blue contributes to the earthy brown tones.
Here are some specific shades of dark orange brown within these RGB parameters:
| Russet: RGB 199,115,88 |
| Cocoa: RGB 210,105,30 |
| Hazelnut: RGB 196,142,72 |
| Chestnut: RGB 152,92,23 |
As you can see, many pleasing variations of dark orange brown are possible by tweaking the precise mix of red, green and blue.
HEX Codes
HEX codes provide another method for designating color. While RGB uses decimal numbers from 0-255, HEX codes use hexadecimal numbers from 00 to FF. This allows for more concise representation of colors in coding.
Dark orange brown HEX codes generally follow this formula:
#RRGGBB
Where:
RR = The red value from 96 to C8
GG = The green value from 46 to 64
BB = The blue value from 00 to 37
Here are some common dark orange brown HEX codes:
| #C77358 – Russet |
| #D2691E – Cocoa |
| #C48E48 – Hazelnut |
| #985C17 – Chestnut |
HEX codes provide a handy shorthand for conveying precise shades of dark orange brown in digital design and web development.
Real World Examples
To get a tangible understanding of dark orange brown, let’s look at some real world objects that showcase this color:
| Leaves in autumn – Russet oak leaves turning color in the fall exemplify a classic dark orange brown. |
| Rich mahogany wood – This deep reddish brown wood is commonly used for furniture, instruments, and decorative elements. |
| Dark chocolate – High cacao content chocolate has an intense orange brown hue. |
| Hazelnuts – The shell of this nut displays an earthy brown exterior and orange interior when cracked open. |
| Fox fur – Red foxes have thick, luxurious fur in various shadings of orange and brown. |
| Sepia pigment – This dark yellowish brown ink has an antique, aged quality. |
These objects showcase the natural depth and warmth embodied in various tones of dark orange brown.
Conclusion
So in summary, when you see a rich, vibrant, earthy brown that reveals hints of orange, you’ve likely encountered some shade of dark orange brown. On the color wheel it falls between orange and brown. Its RGB values range from about 150-200 for red, 70-100 for green, and 0-55 for blue. Common HEX codes are #C77358, #D2691E, #C48E48 and #985C17. And it can be found in nature in fox fur, dark chocolate, fall leaves, and wood. Dark orange brown has a relaxed, inviting feel while still maintaining a sense of energy and intrigue. Hopefully this overview has provided some insight into recognizing and appreciating this gorgeous color!
