RAL and NCS values are nearest equivalents, not official designations.
In Western cultures, umber is often linked to stability and reliability, symbolizing the earth and nature. However, in some Eastern traditions, it can represent humility and groundedness, contrasting with brighter colors that signify prosperity and joy.
The term 'umber' originates from the Latin word 'umbra', meaning shadow, reflecting its deep, shadowy hues. This pigment was used by artists as early as the 15th century, with notable figures like Leonardo da Vinci employing it in their masterpieces, showcasing its importance in Renaissance art.
Ranked by CIE76 ΔE — the perceptual distance from Umber. Lower ΔE means a closer match (below ~2 is barely distinguishable).
All 35 Browns →Nine steps of Umber by lightness — from #332A25 (darkest) to #AEA59F (lightest). Click any to copy.
Sitting opposite Umber at 201° on the color wheel, these give the highest-contrast pairings.
Curated 5-color combinations featuring Umber.
A 50–900 tonal scale with Umber 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: #635147; color-mix(in srgb, #635147 70%, white) 21°, 28%, 39% 0, 18, 28, 61 6508871 #666633 How Umber appears to viewers with the three main types of color blindness (~1 in 12 men, 1 in 200 women). Simulated approximations.