Terracotta vs rust (and other clay colours)
Terracotta and rust share a hue, around 16–19°, so the difference is all in strength and depth. Terracotta is lighter and softer, like dry clay. Rust is darker and more saturated, like oxidised iron. Sienna and chocolate, two CSS keywords, sit either side of them.
| Name | HEX | HSL | White text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terracotta | #CB6843 | 16°, 57%, 53% | 3.75:1 |
| chocolate (CSS) | #D2691E | 25°, 75%, 47% | 3.63:1 |
| sienna (CSS) | #A0522D | 19°, 56%, 40% | 5.62:1 |
| Rust | #A83C09 | 19°, 90%, 35% | 6.33:1 |
Terracotta and rust values here come from the colour-name list our browser uses. CSS chocolate is a brighter orange than its name suggests, and sienna is the nearest keyword to a darker terracotta. For the brighter, more orange relative, see burnt orange.
Earthy palettes built on terracotta
Terracotta#CB6843
Sage#87AE73
Cream#FFFFC2
Olive#808000
Navy#000080
- Terracotta and sage: the most popular pairing, like clay pots with herbs.
- Terracotta, cream and olive: warm Mediterranean; strong for restaurant and ceramics branding.
- Terracotta and navy: the cool contrast option, more modern than all-earth palettes.
Questions
What is the RGB code for terracotta?
rgb(203, 104, 67).
Is terracotta orange or brown?
Between the two. Its hue is orange-red, but the moderate saturation gives it the earthy look people call brown.