RAL and NCS values are nearest equivalents, not official designations.
In Western cultures, burgundy symbolizes ambition and wealth, often seen in formal attire and interior design. In contrast, it can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, making it a popular choice for home decor, creating an inviting atmosphere.
The term 'burgundy' originated in the 19th century, named after the Burgundy wine, which has been produced in the region since at least the 2nd century AD. The color gained prominence in fashion and art during the Renaissance, notably favored by European nobility.
Where the name and the color come from.
Burgundy is named after the red wines of Bourgogne (Burgundy) in eastern France — and the color matches the wine: a deep, dark red with purple and brown undertones, far richer and more muted than a bright primary red.
Because it borrows the wine's associations, burgundy reads as mature, refined and a little indulgent. It is the color of cellars, leather libraries and autumn — warmth dialed down into something sophisticated.
The places, brands and moments that shaped this color.
From the bottle to the dining room, burgundy is the color of fine wine and the warm, moody interiors built around it.
Burgundy is a perennial fall staple in knitwear, leather and lipstick — rich without being loud.
Leather-bound books, club chairs and heritage branding use burgundy to signal tradition and quality.
How it behaves in interiors, fashion and branding.
Burgundy is a moody, luxurious anchor. On walls, velvet or cabinetry it brings warmth and intimacy, especially in dining rooms, studies and hospitality spaces. It behaves almost like a warm neutral for those willing to go dark.
In fashion it is endlessly wearable — a sophisticated alternative to black or bright red — and in branding it conveys heritage, craft and premium quality.
Curated combinations — and exactly why each one works.
Ranked by CIE76 ΔE — the perceptual distance from Burgundy. Lower ΔE means a closer match (below ~2 is barely distinguishable).
All 33 Reds →Nine steps of Burgundy by lightness — from #430011 (darkest) to #BD7A8B (lightest). Click any to copy.
Sitting opposite Burgundy at 165° on the color wheel, these give the highest-contrast pairings.
Curated 5-color combinations featuring Burgundy.
A 50–900 tonal scale with Burgundy anchored at 500 — ready to drop into a design system. Click any step to copy.
Works well as text on light backgrounds; fails on dark.
Thresholds: AA needs 4.5:1 (normal text) / 3:1 (large); AAA needs 7:1 / 4.5:1. Large = 18pt+ or 14pt+ bold.
Copy-ready values for CSS, screen and print, plus the extra conversions designers reach for.
color: #800020; color-mix(in srgb, #800020 70%, white) 345°, 100%, 50% 0, 100, 75, 50 8388640 #990033 How Burgundy appears to viewers with the three main types of color blindness (~1 in 12 men, 1 in 200 women). Simulated approximations.
Quick answers to the questions people ask about Burgundy.
All are dark reds, but burgundy carries a purple undertone (like red wine), maroon leans browner (its name comes from the French for chestnut), and "wine" is used loosely for either. Burgundy is the most purple, maroon the most brown.
It is fundamentally a dark red, but with a noticeable purple undertone that distinguishes it from brick or fire-engine reds. That purple cast is what gives burgundy its richness.
Blush and dusty pink for a tonal look, navy and forest green for deep contrast, gold and brass for opulence, and cream or grey to lighten and balance it.