Here are some ways to incorporate maroon into UI designs:

• Convey sophistication. Maroon’s richness and ability to convey authority are great for academic institutions or companies in the business space.
• Emphasize important details. Maroon can grab attention without being overly harsh, making it an ideal color for highlighting text, buttons, or notifications.
• Offer visual feedback. Maroon is useful for presenting visual indicators, like form field errors, active and inactive states in toggle elements, or user choice selections.

Keep in mind that color and its meaning can change from culture to culture—and at any given time. If you are designing for a global audience, research color considerations for your specific regions.

For variations within the same deep spectrum as maroon, consider:

• Burgundy (#660033) is similar but has more of a purplish hue, giving it a brighter appearance.
• Claret (#7F1734) has a similar hue to a glass of claret red wine, with berry undertones.
• Crimson red (#B22222) has blue undertones that make it a tad more vibrant.
• Bordeaux (#4C1C24) is a deep shade of dark red with a slight purple tint.

To complement maroon, consider pairing it with:

• Forest green (#2E6F40) and maroon have natural, earthy undertones, creating a harmonious color palette.
• Midnight blue (#272757) has a cool blue hue that complements the warmth of maroon, creating a sophisticated and timeless look.
• Rosewater (#FFD6D1) has a soft pink hue that adds a feminine and romantic touch.
• Green sage (#98A869) complements maroon’s brown tones, creating a calming color combination.

Other colors worth considering include ivory for a clean and elegant contrast, light gray for a neutral backdrop, or taupe to harmonize with the brown undertones of maroon.

While maroon is deep and rich, it may clash with:

• Turquoise (#40E0D0) has a unique blend of blue and green that may clash with the warm tones of maroon.
• Lime green (#89F336) can be visually jarring due to its high saturation and cool temperature.
• Red (#FF2C2C) is an analogous shade to maroon but can create an unpleasant combination due to their close proximity on the color wheel.
• Baby blue (#8FD9FB) has a lightness that can create an unpleasant, stark contrast when paired with maroon.

Maroon symbolizes sophistication, wisdom, and passion. The depth and richness of this shade also carry connotations of luxury, while the grounding nature of its brown undertones symbolizes spirituality and inner peace.

In color psychology, maroon has qualities that evoke feelings of confidence, stability, and a drive for success. Its warm undertones can also bring feelings of comfort, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

In UI design, maroon lends elegance and authority, making it ideal for brands wanting to project luxury. It helps highlight important elements and improve user experience by providing visual feedback.

Maroon first appeared in English around 1789, borrowing its name from the French word “marron,” which means “chestnut.” In the Middle Ages, royalty often wore maroon because it symbolized power and regality.  It also became a prominent color of the “dhonka” worn by Tibetan monks, including the Dalai Lama, symbolizing wisdom and spirituality.

Today, maroon remains popular in high-end fashion, art, and design for its warm, inviting qualities and its ability to make a bold statement.

Contrast checker

Color simulations

The hexadecimal color #550000, known as maroon, has RGB values of R:85 G:0, B:0 and CMYK values of C:0, M:1, Y:1, K:0.67.