The colour copper is a warm, earthy shade, named after the metal of the same name. This shade often shows reddish, orangey tones, especially when exposed to light from the right angle. Copper is often used in interior design, decoration and jewellery making as it gives objects a rich and elegant appearance. Copper adds depth and warmth to a space and can be easily combined with other shades such as brown, Green or blue.
The colour copper has a significant role in different cultures and artistic movements. It is a popular element in industrial-style interiors, where raw or polished copper surfaces are often seen. Copper is also used in antiques and vintage decorations, where the patina gives a special character to objects. It is also popular in the world of fashion, especially in autumn collections, as it harmonises with the colours and mood of the season.
Copper colour RGB and HEX colour codes
The RGB code for the copper colour is rgb(184, 115, 51) and the HEX code is #b87333
| Colour scheme | Code/Weights |
|---|---|
| Hex |
#b87333 |
| RGB |
rgb(184, 115, 51) |
| HSL |
hsl(29, 59%, 46%) |
| HSV/HSB |
hsb(29, 72%, 72%) |
| CMYK |
cmyk(0%, 38%, 72%, 28%) |
| Contrasting colour |
#4c86b8 |
| Complementary colour |
#3366b8 |
Dark and light shades of copper
Click on the colour codes below to copy them to the clipboard.
Dark shades
Light shades
Complementary colour palettes of copper
Warm and attractive shades of copper can be combined using complementary, analogue, monochrome, triad, tetrad, split complementary and neutral palettes. These palettes give you the opportunity to create harmonious and interesting designs.
Complementary palette
Analogue palette
Monochrome palette
Triad palette
Tetrade palette
Split complementary palette
Neutral palette
What is the colour of copper?
Copper has a warm, reddish-orange hue that turns to a greenish patina over time as it oxidises. It exudes both richness and naturalness.
What determines the colour of copper?
The colour of copper is primarily due to the electronic structure of copper. Copper's characteristic reddish-orange colour is due to the electrons in its atoms jumping between different energy levels as they absorb energy. Unlike other metals, copper's colour absorbs some of the incident light energy and reflects some of it back. The energy absorbed allows the electrons to move to a higher energy level, which causes the red and yellow colours to dominate the reflected light.
How is copper colour mixing possible?
Copper colour mixing can be achieved by combining several colours. The most commonly used colours are red, orange and a touch of black or brown to add depth. The following steps can be used to achieve the copper colour:
1. Start by mixing red and orange. This is the basis for the copper colour.
2. Add a little brown colour to make it darker and more natural.
3. Add a small amount of black colour, very carefully so that it is not too dark.
4. Mix the colours thoroughly until you get a homogeneous copper colour.
This method can achieve a rich tone of copper colour, similar to the natural colour of real copper metal.
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