What colors go with red?
Red goes with neutrals like ivory, cream and taupe, and with teal green, midnight green and rust for contrast or harmony. Below are 13 matching colors with hex codes, 6 ready-made palettes and tips for rooms, outfits and brands.
13 colors that go with red
- Ivory#FFFFF0Neutral
- Cream#FFFFC2Neutral
- Taupe#B9A281Neutral
- Onyx#343A40Neutral
- Navy#000080Neutral
- Teal Green#0A9396Complementary
- Midnight Green#073B4CMuted complement
- Rust#CA6702Analogous
- Neon Pink#F72585Analogous
- Blue Green#0F9B8ESplit complementary
- Water Blue#0E87CCSplit complementary
- Kelly Green#02AB2ETriadic
- Gold#FFD700Metallic
| Color | Hex | Relationship | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory | #FFFFF0 | Neutral | a clean, light backdrop that lets the color lead |
| Cream | #FFFFC2 | Neutral | a soft neutral for large areas |
| Taupe | #B9A281 | Neutral | a mid neutral that calms the color down |
| Onyx | #343A40 | Neutral | a deep neutral for contrast and text |
| Navy | #000080 | Neutral | a classic deep partner for warm colors |
| Teal Green | #0A9396 | Complementary | its opposite on the color wheel, for the strongest contrast |
| Midnight Green | #073B4C | Muted complement | a softer version of the opposite, for contrast without clashing |
| Rust | #CA6702 | Analogous | a neighbor on the wheel, for a calm, harmonious look |
| Neon Pink | #F72585 | Analogous | the other neighbor on the wheel, for a natural blend |
| Blue Green | #0F9B8E | Split complementary | next to its opposite: lively but easier to balance |
| Water Blue | #0E87CC | Split complementary | the other side of its opposite, for a balanced accent |
| Kelly Green | #02AB2E | Triadic | a third of the way around the wheel, for a playful mix |
| Gold | #FFD700 | Metallic | warm metals flatter warm and neutral colors |
Red color palettes
Calm neutrals: the color with three neutrals and one gentle accent
Red #FF0000, Ivory #FFFFF0, Cream #FFFFC2, Taupe #B9A281, Rust #CA6702. Open this palette in the generator.
Complementary pop: contrast from the opposite side of the wheel, balanced by neutrals
Red #FF0000, Teal Green #0A9396, Midnight Green #073B4C, Ivory #FFFFF0, Navy #000080. Open this palette in the generator.
Analogous harmony: neighboring hues for a natural, blended look
Rust #CA6702, Red #FF0000, Neon Pink #F72585, Ivory #FFFFF0, Taupe #B9A281. Open this palette in the generator.
Monochromatic: one hue from light tint to deep shade
Misty Rose #FFE4E1, Peachy Pink #FF9A8A, Red #FF0000, Blood Red #980002, Mahogany #4A0100. Open this palette in the generator.
Split complementary: two accents beside the complement, lively but easy to balance
Red #FF0000, Blue Green #0F9B8E, Water Blue #0E87CC, Ivory #FFFFF0, Taupe #B9A281. Open this palette in the generator.
Playful triad: evenly spaced hues, softened with a neutral
Red #FF0000, Kelly Green #02AB2E, Cream #FFFFC2, Navy #000080. Open this palette in the generator.
Curated palettes with red
How to use red with other colors
- Rooms and interiors: paint red on one wall or use it in textiles, then keep larger surfaces ivory or cream; add teal green in small objects.
- Outfits: anchor red with navy or denim, and use midnight green for one piece such as a scarf or shoes.
- Brands and websites: use red for one role (background, buttons or headings), ivory for space and a dark neutral for text; black text reads best on red itself.
- Follow the 60-30-10 rule: about 60% neutral, 30% your main color, 10% accent.
Colors that are close to red but not the same, such as a slightly different shade, can look like a mistake rather than a choice. Either match it, or contrast it clearly in lightness or hue.
More about red
- Red color: hex #FF0000, RGB, OKLCH, shades and contrast.
- What does red mean?: symbolism and psychology.
- What colors make red: how to mix it.
- Color harmonies on the color wheel: why these pairings work.
Colors that go with other colors
- Colors that go with brownMatching colors and palettes for brown.
- Colors that go with greenMatching colors and palettes for green.
- Colors that go with purpleMatching colors and palettes for purple.
- Colors that go with grayMatching colors and palettes for gray.
- Colors that go with navy blueMatching colors and palettes for navy blue.
- Colors that go with blueMatching colors and palettes for blue.
- Colors that go with pinkMatching colors and palettes for pink.
- Colors that go with orangeMatching colors and palettes for orange.
- Colors that go with yellowMatching colors and palettes for yellow.
- Colors that go with burgundyMatching colors and palettes for burgundy.
- Colors that go with tealMatching colors and palettes for teal.
- Colors that go with sage greenMatching colors and palettes for sage green.
- Colors that go with olive greenMatching colors and palettes for olive green.
- Colors that go with goldMatching colors and palettes for gold.
- Colors that go with light blueMatching colors and palettes for light blue.
- Colors that go with dark greenMatching colors and palettes for dark green.
- Colors that go with maroonMatching colors and palettes for maroon.
- Colors that go with dark blueMatching colors and palettes for dark blue.
Frequently asked questions
What colors go with red?
Red pairs well with neutrals such as ivory, cream and taupe, and with accents such as teal green, midnight green and rust. The palettes above show complete combinations with hex codes.
What is the complementary color of red?
On the digital (OKLCH) color wheel, the complement of red #FF0000 is close to Teal Green #0A9396. Use it in small amounts for contrast, or a muted version for a softer pairing.
What color text goes on red?
Black text reads best on red #FF0000. Check the exact pair in the contrast checker.
Does red go with ivory?
Yes. Ivory is a clean, light backdrop that lets the color lead, so it is one of the easiest pairings for red.
Make a red palette
Lock this color in the generator and let it suggest harmonies, then check contrast and export.