Cadmium Orange
HEX: #ED872D | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#ED872D
237, 135, 45
28°, 84% ,55%
0, 43, 81, 7
About Cadmium Orange
Cadmium Orange (#ED872D) is a color with RGB(237, 135, 45) and HSL(28.1°, 84.2%, 55.3%). 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 #2D93ED, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #2DED87 and #872DED. The name comes from Cadmium Orange (English).
- HEX: #ED872D
- RGB: 237, 135, 45
- HSL: 28.1°, 84.2%, 55.3%
- Mood: Energetic, Bold
- Style: Vivid, Warm
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #2D93ED
- Triadic colors: #2DED87, #872DED
- The name comes from Cadmium Orange (English).
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 #ED872D from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Cadmium pigments were first discovered in the Kingdom of Saxony (modern-day Germany) in the early 19th century. Cadmium Yellow was the first to be commercialized around 1840. Cadmium Orange, a blend of cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide, offered a vibrant, stable, and opaque orange that quickly gained popularity among artists. Its excellent lightfastness and covering power made it a superior alternative to earlier organic orange pigments, which often faded or were less vibrant. Despite its toxicity (due to cadmium content), its artistic qualities ensured its widespread use throughout the 20th century. Modern regulations have led to the development of less toxic alternatives, but genuine cadmium pigments are still available.
First Recorded Use
The use of cadmium pigments became widespread in the early 20th century, with orange variations appearing shortly after the reds and yellows.
Cultural Associations
Cadmium Orange, like other cadmium colors, is associated with the vibrant palettes of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Fauvist painters who sought to capture light and emotion through bold color. Its intensity made it a favorite for depicting sunsets, fire, and autumn foliage. It evokes a sense of warmth, energy, and sometimes danger due to its association with the toxic element cadmium.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #ED872D;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #ED872D;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #ED872D;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#ED872D,
#2D93ED
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#ED872D,
#2D93ED
);
}// SCSS variable
$cadmium-orange: #ED872D;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$cadmium-orange-r: 237;
$cadmium-orange-g: 135;
$cadmium-orange-b: 45;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $cadmium-orange;
color: rgba($cadmium-orange-r, $cadmium-orange-g, $cadmium-orange-b, 0.8);
}