Brown vs Tan

Brown #A52A2A View details →

Tan #D2B48C View details →

What is the difference between Brown and Tan?

A side-by-side study of Brown (#A52A2A) and Tan (#D2B48C) presents distinct choices for graphic layouts. Evaluating saturation levels, Brown displays a significantly higher color purity. From a lightness perspective, Tan reflects considerably more light. Sitting near each other on the spectrum (34° apart), they offer a smooth visual flow.

Design recommendations for Brown vs Tan

From a design standpoint, these colors serve different layout roles. The darker Brown is excellent for text elements, borders, and structural divs to anchor the page, whereas the more luminous Tan works best for highlights, background sections, or notification badges. Ensure contrast checks are verified for text readability.

✦ Readability & Contrast Testing

Visual test showing black and white text overlay readability on both colors.

Brown Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid Brown background canvas.

White Text: 7.08:1 Black Text: 2.96:1

Tan Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid Tan background canvas.

White Text: 1.97:1 Black Text: 10.65:1

⚙ Technical Specifications Comparison

Format / Value	Brown	Tan	Delta / Difference
HEX Code	`#A52A2A`	`#D2B48C`	-
RGB Channels	`rgb(165, 42, 42)`	`rgb(210, 180, 140)`	`R:+45 \| G:+138 \| B:+98`
HSL Values	`hsl(0°, 59%, 41%)`	`hsl(34°, 44%, 69%)`	`H:+34° \| S:-15% \| L:+28%`
CMYK (Print)	`cmyk(0%, 75%, 75%, 35%)`	`cmyk(0%, 14%, 33%, 18%)`	-

◉ Individual Color References

Brown Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes

Tan Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes