Terracotta colour characterisation: colour codes, shades and mixing techniques

The colour terracotta is a warm, earthy shade that takes its name from the pots made from natural clay. This colour is found in different shades of red and brown, created by the presence of iron oxide. The colour terracotta is often used in home decoration, giving a warm and rustic feel. It is also popular in Mediterranean and Latin American styles because it complements natural materials such as wood and stone.

This shade is a perfect match for a palette of natural and earthy colours, such as beige, Green, orange and other neutral colours can be combined well. The colour terracotta is not only popular in interiors, but is also often used in horticulture as it gives a natural look that harmonises with plants and flowers. Accessories and decorative elements in terracotta add a natural and welcoming feel to a space, making it more homely.

Terracotta colour RGB and HEX colour codes

The RGB code for the terracotta colour is (204, 78, 35) and the HEX code is #CC4E23.

Colour scheme	Code/Weights
Hex	#E2725B
RGB	rgb(226, 114, 91)
HSL	hsl(10, 70%, 62%)
HSV/HSB	hsv(10, 60%, 89%) / hsb(10, 60%, 89%)
CMYK	cmyk(0, 0.50, 0.60, 0.11)
Contrasting colour	#5BBAE2
Complementary colour	#5BBAE2

Dark and light shades of terracotta

Click on the colour codes below to copy them to the clipboard.

Dark shades

Light shades

Complementary colour palettes of terracotta

The rich and warm shades of terracotta are often used in interior design and decoration. In this description, we present a variety of colour palettes based on the colour terracotta, which include complementary, analogue, monochrome, triad, tetrad, split complementary and neutral palettes.

Complementary palette

Analogue palette

Monochrome palette

Triad palette

Tetrade palette

Split complementary palette

Neutral palette

What is the colour of terracotta?

Terracotta is a warm, earthy shade characterised by a mix of red and brown tones. It is named after the fired clay used to make clay tiles or other ceramic products. The colour is reminiscent of sun-baked bricks and is often used in natural, rustic and Mediterranean-style decorations.

What is the colour of terracotta?

The colour of terracotta depends mainly on the composition of the clay used and the firing temperature. The amount and type of iron oxides in the clay determine the intensity of the reddish-brown colour. At higher firing temperatures, the colour can become darker and deeper, while at lower temperatures it takes on a lighter, more orangey hue. The presence of clay impurities such as organic matter or other metal oxides may also affect the final colour.

How is terracotta colour mixing possible?

There are many ways to mix terracotta, but usually a combination of red, orange and brown shades will give this earthy tone. Below is a general method:

1. Take a basic red colour.
2. To this, add a small amount of orange dye to create a warmer, more vibrant shade.
3. Finally, add a little brown or black dye to make the colour darker and earthier.

Experimenting is the best way to achieve the optimum shade; mix the colours in small steps and always blend them thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous mixture.