Crimson paint colors
Crimson is a deep, saturated red with a cool, blue-leaning lean. It sits between a true fire-engine red and a darker burgundy, so it reads rich and slightly cool rather than warm and orangey. The digital reference point most people start from is the hex value #DC143C, which has an LRV of about 16.
The Truest Crimson Matches
The truest crimson matches across every US brand — start here.
A racing red from Behr's own expert picks — maximum energy for a front door.
On Behr's expert red favorites — a pure lipstick red that means it.
Red Tomato is a red that still reads red — not a brick, not a wine, not a rust.
Million Dollar Red is a true, saturated red at near-black depth — not a barn red, not a wine, not a muted heritage brick.
All 1,142 Crimson Paint Colors
Every crimson from every brand we track, merged into one shelf. Truest match first. Filter by brand or depth, or change the order.
Swatches are each brand's published display value, not a physical sample under controlled lighting. Screens vary, and so does your light. Order a brand-direct sample or preview the color on a photo of your own wall before you specify.
Upload a photo of the room. We paint it in the crimson you chose with your light and your floor, and you can swap colors until one holds.
How Deep Each Crimson Deck Goes
How many crimson colors each brand carries, drawn with that deck's own crimsons from light to dark. Pick your store first, then the color. Every brand equal, no favorites.
More on crimson paint colors
That low LRV is the most useful number to know up front. It tells you crimson is a dark, dramatic color that will soak up light rather than bounce it around the room. On a wall it feels bold and enveloping, not bright.
One important thing to understand: crimson is a color name and a digital target, not a single can of paint you pull off a shelf. You get crimson by having a store match it and mix it to order, and the same look can be matched across nearly every major US brand. The sections below cover what makes a good crimson, where it works, how to pair it, and how to actually buy it.
What Crimson Actually Is
Crimson is a strong red that leans cool. Where a classic red pulls slightly toward orange, crimson pulls the other way, toward blue and a hint of pink. That cool lean is what separates it from a tomato red or a brick red, and it is the single thing to watch when you compare samples.
The undertone is what makes or breaks a crimson. A good version stays clean and jewel-like, like a deep berry or a glass of red wine. A poor match drifts too far one way and turns either chalky-pink or muddy-brown, so look closely at the undertone before you commit.
How It Reads On A Wall
With an LRV near 16, crimson is firmly in dark-color territory. It absorbs most of the light that hits it, so a crimson wall will always look deep and saturated, never light or airy. Expect the room to feel smaller, cozier, and more dramatic.
Light changes it more than you might expect. In bright daylight crimson glows and shows its true red character, while in dim or evening light it reads much darker and can lean toward burgundy. Always test it on the actual wall and look at it morning, midday, and night before you decide.
Rooms, Light, And Where It Works Best
Crimson shines in rooms where you want drama and warmth rather than openness. Dining rooms, formal living rooms, libraries, powder rooms, and a bold front door are its natural home. It also works beautifully as a single accent wall when a whole room would feel like too much.
Light direction matters. North-facing rooms with cool, flat light can push crimson toward a muddier, more purple read, so it suits them only if you lean into the moody effect. South- and west-facing rooms with warmer light keep crimson lively and rich. Where it struggles is small, dark rooms with little natural light and spaces where you want a bright, open, calming feel.
Pairing With Trim, Ceilings, And Other Colors
Because crimson is so dark and saturated, the easiest wins come from clean, simple pairings. Crisp white trim makes the edges pop and keeps the room from feeling heavy. A soft white or very pale neutral ceiling lifts the space, while a deeper or warm-toned ceiling leans into a cocooning, enveloping look if that is what you want.
For coordinating colors, lean on calm neutrals and naturals so the crimson stays the star. Warm whites, soft greys, tan, camel, and natural wood tones all balance it well. If you want a richer scheme, deep greens, navy, and gold or brass accents pair with crimson without fighting it.
How To Get Crimson In Real Paint
The hex value #DC143C is a screen color, not a paint formula. To put crimson on your walls, you take that reference to a paint store and have them match it and tint it into the paint and finish you want. Almost every major US brand can mix a close match, so you are not locked into one company.
A couple of practical notes. Saturated reds like crimson often need an extra coat and sometimes a tinted gray primer to reach full, even color, so plan for that. Buy a sample pot first, paint a large swatch, and confirm the match in your own light before you commit to gallons, since the same target can look slightly different from brand to brand and finish to finish.
Crimson Paint FAQ
Is crimson the same as red or burgundy?
Not quite. Crimson sits between the two. It is more saturated and bold than burgundy, but cooler and more blue-leaning than a classic true red, which gives it that deep, jewel-like wine character.
What does an LRV of 16 mean for a crimson wall?
LRV measures how much light a color reflects, on a scale of 0 to 100. At about 16, crimson is a dark color that absorbs most light, so the wall will look deep and rich and the room will feel cozier and more enclosed rather than bright.
Which rooms suit crimson best?
It works best where you want drama and warmth, like dining rooms, formal living rooms, libraries, powder rooms, and front doors. It is a great accent wall too. It struggles in small, dark rooms and anywhere you want a light, open, airy feel.
What trim and ceiling colors go with crimson?
Crisp white trim is the safest and most striking choice, and a soft white ceiling keeps the room from feeling heavy. If you want a cocooning look, a deeper or warmer ceiling leans into that. For other colors, calm neutrals, natural wood, deep green, navy, and brass all pair well.
How do I actually buy crimson paint?
Crimson is a color target, not one specific product. Bring the reference to a paint store and have them match it and mix it to order in the brand, sheen, and finish you want. Most major US brands can produce a close match, so the look is widely available.
Why does my crimson need so many coats?
Deep, saturated reds carry a lot of pigment and less of the white base that gives paint its hiding power, so they often need an extra coat for even color. A tinted gray primer underneath helps the final color reach full depth with fewer coats.
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