Sepia
HEX: #704214 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#704214
112, 66, 20
30°, 82% ,43%
0, 41.07, 82.14, 56.08
About Sepia
Sepia (#704214) is a color with RGB(112, 66, 20) and HSL(30°, 82.14%, 43.92%). It is commonly associated with Energetic, Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #144270, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #147042 and #421470. The name comes from σηπία (sēpía) (Ancient Greek).
- HEX: #704214
- RGB: 112, 66, 20
- HSL: 30°, 82.14%, 43.92%
- Mood: Energetic, Bold
- Style: Vivid, Warm
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #144270
- Triadic colors: #147042, #421470
- The name comes from σηπία (sēpía) (Ancient Greek).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #704214 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'sepia' originates from the Ancient Greek word 'σηπία' (sēpía), which referred to the cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are known for expelling a dark brown ink as a defense mechanism. This ink was historically collected and used as a pigment for writing and drawing. The pigment, known for its rich reddish-brown hue, became particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries for monochrome drawings and photographs. The term 'sepia' then extended to describe the characteristic reddish-brown color itself, especially as seen in early photographic prints that were toned with sepia to improve their archival stability and aesthetic appeal.
First Recorded Use
1796
Cultural Associations
Sepia toning in photography became a popular technique in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It not only gave photographs a warm, antique look but also enhanced their longevity by converting the metallic silver in the print to a more stable silver sulfide. This is why many vintage photographs have that distinctive sepia tone. Beyond photography, sepia is often associated with a sense of nostalgia, age, and historical documentation. It's frequently used in art and design to evoke a classic or vintage aesthetic.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #704214;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #704214;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #704214;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#704214,
#1470CC
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#704214,
#1470CC
);
}// SCSS variable
$sepia: #704214;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$sepia-r: 112;
$sepia-g: 66;
$sepia-b: 20;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $sepia;
color: rgba($sepia-r, $sepia-g, $sepia-b, 0.8);
}