Chestnut
HEX: #CD5C5C | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#CD5C5C
205, 92, 92
0°, 53% ,58%
0, 55, 55, 20
About Chestnut
Chestnut (#CD5C5C) is a color with RGB(205, 92, 92) and HSL(0°, 53.1%, 58.2%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Logo. Its complementary color is #5CCDCD, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #5CCD5C and #5C5CCD. The name comes from chastaigne (Old French).
- HEX: #CD5C5C
- RGB: 205, 92, 92
- HSL: 0°, 53.1%, 58.2%
- Mood: Romantic
- Style: Warm
- Use case: Text, Button, Logo
- Complementary color: #5CCDCD
- Triadic colors: #5CCD5C, #5C5CCD
- The name comes from chastaigne (Old French).
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 #CD5C5C from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'chestnut' in English derives from the Old French 'chastaigne', which itself came from the Latin 'castanea'. The Latin term is believed to have originated from the Ancient Greek 'kastaneia' (καστάνεια), referring to the tree or its fruit. There are theories that the Greek word might have come from a place name, such as Castana in Pontus, where chestnuts were abundant. The color 'chestnut' as a descriptor for a reddish-brown hue, particularly for hair or horses, emerged later, likely in the 16th or 17th century, directly referencing the color of the nut's shell.
First Recorded Use
c. 1300-1400
Cultural Associations
Chestnuts have been a significant food source for millennia, especially in Southern Europe, Asia, and North America. They are often associated with autumn and winter holidays, particularly roasted chestnuts ('chestnuts roasting on an open fire'). In some cultures, chestnut trees are symbols of longevity and resilience. The color 'chestnut' is widely used to describe hair color (e.g., 'chestnut hair') and horse coat colors (e.g., 'chestnut horse'), indicating a rich reddish-brown. The phrase 'old chestnut' refers to a stale joke or story, likely originating from the idea of something that has been around for a long time, like an old chestnut tree or a well-worn nut.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #CD5C5C;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #CD5C5C;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #CD5C5C;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#CD5C5C,
#5CCDCD
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#CD5C5C,
#5CCDCD
);
}// SCSS variable
$chestnut: #CD5C5C;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$chestnut-r: 205;
$chestnut-g: 92;
$chestnut-b: 92;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $chestnut;
color: rgba($chestnut-r, $chestnut-g, $chestnut-b, 0.8);
}