Marsala

Wine of the Red Earth, Rich and Full-Bodied

Brown & Tan Warm Standard Color

HEX#955539

RGBrgb(149, 85, 57)

HSLhsl(18, 45%, 40%)

HSVhsv(18, 62%, 58%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 43%, 62%, 42%)

HEXA#955539FF

RGBArgba(149, 85, 57, 1)

HSLAhsla(18, 45%, 40%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(72.8%, 0.065, 52)

LCHlch(67.9%, 17.8, 68)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

Learn More →

Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#FFFFFFRatio 5.8:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#EAE3C8Ratio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#A9C567Ratio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#41AA60Ratio 2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

Online Color Picker → Gradient Generator →

Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, proportional lightness scaling 30%→100%

#2C1911

#3F2418

#4E2C1D

#603624

#73412B

#814931

#945438

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, proportional saturation scaling 40%→100%

#785F54

#7D5D4F

#825B4A

#865946

#8B5741

#90553C

#945438

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation proportional scaling

#231D1A

#342823

#423029

#563B2F

#6B4433

#7D4B36

#945438

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#943D38

#944438

#944C38

#945438

#945B38

#946338

#946B38

💡 Use Cases

🍷

Wine & Hospitality

Marsala is a classic color for wineries, tasting rooms, and high-end hospitality, evoking the richness of wine culture and the warmth of Italian hospitality.

🏠

Interior Design

Marsala adds a touch of sophisticated warmth to interiors, used in accent walls, upholstery, and textiles to create cozy, stylish living spaces.

👗

Fashion & Beauty

Marsala is a staple in autumn/winter fashion, used in clothing, accessories, and cosmetics to convey a sense of richness and refined taste.

🎨

Graphic & Brand Design

Marsala provides a robust, earthy foundation for branding, often used to convey premium quality, heritage, and a connection to natural or artisanal products.

📜 Origin & History

Marsala derives its name from the wine of Marsala, Sicily—a fortified wine known for its warm, reddish-brown hue. This color shares its cultural resonance with the ancient traditions of Mediterranean winemaking, evoking the sun-drenched hills of southern Italy.

Historically, the color Marsala has been present in Italian Renaissance painting, often used in depictions of rich fabrics, earth, and autumnal landscapes. Its deep, earthy warmth provided a grounding presence in portraiture and religious scenes.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Marsala became a popular color for interiors and fashion, particularly in the context of the Grand Tour, when European travelers returned from Italy with a taste for its warm, cultured aesthetic.

In contemporary color trends, Marsala was notably declared the Pantone Color of the Year in 2015, cementing its status as a sophisticated, grounding hue that bridges the gap between brown and red, offering a sense of nurturing elegance and profound warmth.

Today, Marsala is celebrated in design for its ability to create a cozy, enveloping atmosphere. It is used extensively in fashion, interior design, and branding to convey a sense of understated luxury, heritage, and emotional depth.

🧠 Color Psychology

NurturingMarsala is often described as a nurturing color, evoking a sense of comfort, warmth, and security, like a reassuring embrace.

SophisticatedThe rich, complex hue of Marsala suggests taste, refinement, and a deep appreciation for quality, making it a favorite in luxury design.

EarthyMarsala is deeply rooted in its connection to the earth and winemaking, bringing an organic, grounded quality to any palette.

PassionateWhile less intense than red, Marsala carries a subtle, smoldering passion and warmth, evoking the romantic landscapes of the Mediterranean.

TimelessMarsala has a timeless quality, bridging traditional elegance with modern sensibility, ensuring its lasting appeal.

ConfidentChoosing Marsala conveys a quiet confidence and sophistication, a color that does not need to shout to be noticed.

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