Making maroon requires deepening red with controlled brown or blue influence. Maroon is a dark red–brown shade that carries more earthiness than burgundy and less purple undertone.
This guide explains how to make maroon in paint using structured mixing ratios, how to control warmth and depth, and how maroon behaves in digital RGB and CMYK systems.
How to Make Maroon in Paint
Method 1: Red + Brown (Primary Formula)
Approximate starting ratio:
- 65% deep red
- 25% dark brown
- 10% blue (for depth control)
This produces a stable maroon base. Compared to burgundy, maroon contains slightly more brown and slightly less blue.
Method 2: Red + Blue + Small Yellow (Direct Build)
Approximate starting ratio:
- 55% red
- 35% blue
- 10% yellow (to reduce purple brightness)
The yellow neutralizes excess violet tone and pushes the mixture toward red–brown depth.
How to Adjust Maroon Tone
- Warmer maroon: Increase red by 5–10%.
- Cooler maroon: Increase blue slightly.
- Darker maroon: Add 5% black or additional brown.
- Lighter maroon: Add white carefully (creates muted rose-brown variants).
Common Maroon Mixing Mistakes
- Adding too much blue (creates burgundy or plum instead)
- Overusing black (flattens the tone)
- Starting with bright red instead of deep red
- Ignoring temperature balance
Digital Maroon (RGB)
Maroon is created by lowering brightness of red and adding a small amount of blue.
- Example HEX: #800000
- Example RGB: 128, 0, 0
Reducing saturation slightly prevents the tone from appearing too vibrant.
CMYK Maroon
Approximate CMYK starting formula:
- C: 25%
- M: 100%
- Y: 80%
- K: 45%
Adjust black carefully to maintain depth without flattening richness.
Related Shades
Maroon Mixing FAQ
What colors make maroon?
Deep red mixed with brown or a red–blue base muted with small yellow creates maroon.
Is maroon darker than burgundy?
Yes. Maroon typically contains more brown and appears deeper and earthier.
Why does my maroon look purple?
You may have added too much blue relative to red and brown.
How do I make deep wine maroon?
Increase red slightly and add a small amount of brown for balance.
What colors make maroon?
Maroon is made by combining red with brown and optionally a small amount of black for added depth. The brown reduces brightness and shifts the red toward a deeper tone.
What two colors make maroon?
If using only two colors, mix red with brown. This produces a classic maroon base. Adjust the ratio gradually to control warmth and depth.
How do you make maroon darker?
To darken maroon, increase the brown slightly or add a small touch of black. Avoid adding too much black at once to prevent dulling the tone.
Continue Exploring Color Mixing
For full symbolism, cultural meaning, and design applications, see our detailed Maroon color meaning page.
Maroon is a deep red built through brown-based structure and controlled darkening. Explore these related guides:
- How to Mix Red — base intensity control
- How to Mix Brown — depth foundation
- How to Make Burgundy — red-purple variation
- How to Mix Black — structured darkening
Return to the full Color Mixing Hub to explore all structured mixing guides.