Upsdell Red

HEX: #AE2029 | Modern Palette

On White
6.91:1
PASS
On Black
3.04:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#AE2029
RGB
174, 32, 41
HSL
356°, 68% ,40%
CMYK
0, 82, 76, 32

About Upsdell Red

Upsdell Red (#AE2029) is a color with RGB(174, 32, 41) and HSL(356.2°, 68.9%, 40.4%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #20AEA5, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #29AE20 and #2029AE. The name comes from Upsdell Red (English).

  • HEX: #AE2029
  • RGB: 174, 32, 41
  • HSL: 356.2°, 68.9%, 40.4%
  • Mood: Romantic
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #20AEA5
  • Triadic colors: #29AE20, #2029AE
  • The name comes from Upsdell Red (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

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 #AE2029 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Romantic
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #66661E
Protanopia #45452B
Tritanopia #AE2121
Achromatopsia #5A5A5A

Frequently Asked Questions

Upsdell Red (#AE2029) is a color with RGB(174, 32, 41) and HSL(356.2°, 68.9%, 40.4%).

#AE2029 pairs strongly with #20AEA5 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#AE2029 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Warm styles.

#AE2029 is commonly associated with Romantic.

The name Upsdell Red is linked to Upsdell Red from English, meaning A specific shade of red, named after a person or place..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Upsdell Red
Meaning A specific shade of red, named after a person or place.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 20th Century

History

Upsdell Red (hex #ae2029) is a shade of red that gained prominence through its association with the University of Cambridge. It is the official color of the Cambridge University Boat Club and is famously used on their rowing blades and kit. The name 'Upsdell' is believed to refer to a person or family associated with the university or the boat club, though specific details are not widely publicized. It is a distinct, deep red, often described as a 'claret' or 'maroon' shade, and is a key part of the visual identity of Cambridge rowing.

First Recorded Use

1990s

Cultural Associations

This color is deeply embedded in the culture of the University of Cambridge, particularly within its rowing community. It is a symbol of the Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) and is instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. The color represents tradition, athletic prowess, and the competitive spirit of Cambridge against Oxford. Its use on the 'light blue' (Cambridge's primary university color) kit creates a strong visual identity.

Similar Named Colors
Brown #A52A2A ΔE 1.87
Firebrick #B22222 ΔE 2.65
Alabama Crimson #AF002A ΔE 3.15
Carnelian #B31B1B ΔE 3.79

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #AE2029;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #AE2029;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #AE2029;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #AE2029,
        #20AEA5
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #AE2029,
        #20AEA5
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$upsdell-red: #AE2029;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$upsdell-red-r: 174;
$upsdell-red-g: 32;
$upsdell-red-b: 41;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $upsdell-red;
    color: rgba($upsdell-red-r, $upsdell-red-g, $upsdell-red-b, 0.8);
}