Brown is one of the most foundational and versatile colors in both natural and digital design. Whether you’re a painter mixing pigments, a web designer choosing the right palette, or a student learning color theory, understanding how to make brown from other colors is essential.
Before we dive into brown specifically, let’s review the basics of the color wheel.
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Brown is a composite color—a darker, desaturated version of orange. In subtractive mixing (like paint), it comes from mixing complementary colors. In additive mixing (like screens), it's red + green + blue at lower intensities.
| Proportion | Result |
|---|---|
| Equal parts R, Y, B | Neutral brown |
| More red | Warm, reddish brown |
| More blue | Cooler, dark brown |
| More yellow | Lighter, golden brown |
| Color Pair | Resulting Brown |
|---|---|
| Red + Green | Neutral brown |
| Blue + Orange | Deep brown |
| Yellow + Purple | Warm brown |
🎨 Check our Color Format Conversion tool for Brown Color values.
Brown is deeply tied to natural elements such as soil, wood, stone, and leather. It's commonly associated with comfort, security, and organic materials. In branding and marketing, brown suggests reliability, tradition, and earthiness.
In many cultures, brown has spiritual and symbolic meanings. For instance, in Western contexts, it symbolizes humility and grounding, while in Eastern cultures, it can represent wholesomeness and simplicity.
Teachers often introduce the concept of brown early in color theory education because it demonstrates the complexity of color mixing. Students can learn how adding or subtracting just a little of one hue can significantly change the outcome.
Brown is a top choice for interior designers who want to create cozy, stable, and inviting spaces. Popular materials like wood, leather, and stone bring various shades of brown into homes and offices.
Product designers also favor brown for packaging that suggests sustainability, craft, and authenticity—like recycled cardboard boxes or kraft paper wrapping.
When using brown on the web, accessibility is key. Many shades of brown have low contrast against darker backgrounds. Here are a few quick tips:
| Color Name | HEX | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Tan | #D2B48C | 210, 180, 140 |
| Chocolate | #7B3F00 | 123, 63, 0 |
| Beaver | #9F8170 | 159, 129, 112 |
| Raw Umber | #826644 | 130, 102, 68 |
| Burnt Sienna | #E97451 | 233, 116, 81 |
Brown may seem simple, but it’s rich and complex. Mastering it opens up creative opportunities across design, web, and branding. Visit our resources to start exploring color combinations today!