Maroon vs Burgundy
Can you tell them apart?
#800000
#800020
Perceptual difference (ΔE): 16.8 — clearly different.
Maroon and burgundy are both dark reds, and the difference is a quiet undertone rather than an obvious shift. Maroon is a brownish dark red — red with brown mixed in, named after the French word for chestnut. Burgundy, named after the French wine region, carries a purple undertone that makes it look richer and cooler. Maroon feels earthy; burgundy feels like a glass of red wine.
How to tell them apart
Look at the undertone: burgundy has a faint purple/violet lean, while maroon tips toward brown. Against a white background burgundy looks cooler and more jewel-like; maroon looks warmer and more muted.
Color values
| HEX | #800000 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 128, 0, 0 |
| HSL | 0°, 100%, 25% |
| CMYK | 0, 100, 100, 50 |
| HEX | #800020 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 128, 0, 32 |
| HSL | 345°, 100%, 25% |
| CMYK | 0, 100, 75, 50 |
FAQ
- Is maroon the same as burgundy?
- No. Both are dark reds, but maroon has a brown undertone and burgundy has a purple one.
- Is burgundy more purple than maroon?
- Yes. Burgundy leans slightly toward purple, which is what separates it from the browner maroon.