Orange is a bright, warm color that evokes feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth. It is often described as vibrant, bold, and energetic. In web design, the right shade of orange can really make elements like buttons, links, and icons pop on the page. But with so many varieties of orange out there, how do you know which hex code to use to get that perfect punchy orange?
Understanding Hex Codes
On the web, colors are specified using hex codes. Hex codes are 6-digit codes preceded by a # sign, made up of the letters A-F and the numbers 0-9. Each two digits in a hex code represent the intensity of red, green and blue in the color. 00 is the lowest intensity of that color, while FF is the highest intensity.
By mixing different intensities of red, green and blue, we can create millions of unique colors. This allows us to choose very specific shades of orange by customizing the RGB values.
For example, here is the hex code breakdown for a bright orange:
| #FF | Red intensity set to highest value FF |
| #A5 | Green intensity set to medium-high value A5 |
| #00 | Blue intensity set to lowest value 00 |
Changing any of these values will create a different shade of orange. Now let’s look at some common bright orange hex codes and what makes them vibrant.
FFA500 – Vibrant Orange
FFA500 is perhaps the most well-known bright orange hex code. This shade is called web orange or orange RGB. The high amount of red and medium-high amount of green gives this orange a vibrant, energetic look.
FFA500 strikes a nice balance of feeling bold without being overwhelming. It has enough yellow in it to feel playful and fun. This makes it ideal for calls to action like buttons to grab people’s attention.
Many top brands use FFA500 orange in their logos and branding including Mozilla, Harley-Davidson, and Gulf Oil. It’s bright without feeling too aggressive or intense.
FF8C00 – Dark Orange
FF8C00 is a slightly darker shade of orange than FFA500. It has the same amount of red, but less green for a deeper, richer orange color.
This darker orange is bold while maintaining a sense of professionalism. It’s often described as a burnt orange. It works well for branding and elements where you want to stand out while still feeling elegant.
FF8C00 is used in the branding of companies like Lowe’s, Nickelodeon, and DoubleClick by Google.
FF7F00 – Vibrant Dark Orange
FF7F00 is another take on a deeper orange, pushing the shade even darker. With the same high red but lower green, this hex code creates a bold, intense burnt orange.
FF7F00 has a feeling of autumn and warmth. It’s brighter than a typical burnt orange, allowing it to still feel energetic despite the darker hue. This makes it suitable for everything from fall-themed content to energetic branding.
Curiously, both Amazon and Paypal use this exact shade of orange as accent colors in their logo and branding.
FF6000 – Pure Orange
With hex code FF6000, we have an orange very close to a pure orange hue. This code has the highest level red, almost no green, and no blue. The result is a bold, intense orange very reminiscent of the fruit.
FF6000 draws a lot of attention, so it’s best used sparingly or on small elements. It could work well for buttons or icons you really want to stand out. But it may be overpowering as a primary brand color.
Funnily enough, Orangetheory Fitness uses a similar bright orange shade for its logo and branding to evoke energy.
FF5E00 – Bright Red Orange
FF5E00 adds a reddish tint to orange with slightly less green for a hot red-orange color. This shade feels bold, energetic and youthful.
Bright red orange works great when you want to combine the excitement of orange with the intensity of red. Use it sparingly to make elements pop. It also works for brands targeting a younger demographic.
You’ll see this fun shade of orange on Nickelodeon’s iconic logo and branding.
FF4E00 – Vibrant Red Orange
FF4E00 dials down the intensity of the last shade while keeping the vibrant red-orange tone. This softer version has strong visual energy while feeling a bit more friendly and approachable.
Vibrant red orange is playful and eye-catching. Use it when you want elements to stand out with a fun, lively vibe. It’s well suited to youth brands but also works for a wide range of applications.
Home Depot uses a similar red-orange prominently in its branding to feel energetic yet accessible.
Choosing the Right Vibrant Orange
Bright oranges can instantly grab attention and evoke feelings ranging from fun and playful to bold and intense. Consider how you want your orange to make people feel when choosing a vibrant shade.
FFA500 has become the quintessential vibrant orange with a universally appealing boldness. FF8C00 and FF7F00 offer richer, darker oranges with a bit more elegance and professionalism.
FF6000 is an in-your-face pure orange for when high intensity is needed. FF5E00 and FF4E00 blend orange and red for youthful energy.
Keep in mind that shades may appear slightly different depending on the screen they are viewed on. Always test your orange on the intended medium to make sure it has the desired effect.
With the right hex code, you can add some fun, brightness and energy to your site or brand. So start experimenting with vibrant oranges until you find the perfect tone to make your elements pop off the page.
Conclusion
Vibrant oranges not only attract attention, they energize designs and evoke feelings of excitement and enthusiasm. By customizing the red, green and blue values in a hex code, you can create the ideal bright orange shade for your needs.
Popular options like FFA500, FF8C00 and FF7F00 offer varying intensities of vibrant orange. FF6000 is an in-your-face pure orange, while FF5E00 and FF4E00 mix in red hues for youthful energy.
Choose your orange based on the emotions and tone you want to convey, and always test it in the intended medium. The right vibrant orange hex code can make all the difference in making your elements instantly stand out.
