Make marvelous designs with maroon.

Spark intensity and inspiration with a splash of maroon color in your next design.

Designers everywhere use maroon to up intensity. It’s a rich mixture of red and brown that inspires global art, advertisements, and designs — and you can learn how to master it with these guidelines. Use these tips and color codes to inspire your next project.

What does the color maroon mean?

Maroon is known for its deep chestnut appearance. This is likely where it gets its name from — “marron” is French for chestnut. Its rich hue is a great choice for designers and artists to:

Maroon is a common color also found in fabrics, professional designs, and uniforms — think UMass football jerseys or the Dalai Lama’s robes. Take an even deeper dive into the world of color meanings to learn more.

Mix and match with maroon.

For a neutral palette, pair maroon with desert tones like grays, tans, and very light pinks. This choice is a great option for designers and artists who need a natural touch.

You can also consult the color wheel (hues arranged in a circular pattern according to wavelength) which illustrates color theory and how colors are related. Designers use the color wheel to identify pleasing palettes and color combinations.

If your color palette doesn’t look quite right, explore some of maroon’s relative hues to find the perfect balance of shade, vibrancy, and contrast. Try these variants:

BURGUNDY

CRIMSON

OXBLOOD

Maroon color conversions.

For deep, rich maroon color, use these color conversion codes with nearly any graphic design tool. Then, discover even more professional graphic design tips.

Explore everything you can create with color and more using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign today.

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