Chrome orange
A yellowish to deep orange pigment once prized by 19th-century painters
Chrome orange is a synthetic pigment made from basic lead chromate, ranging from yellowish red to deep orange. First created in 1809, it became popular with 19th-century artists for its strong colour and stability to light, but is no longer produced due to its lead content.
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- First synthesised as a pigment in 1809
- Known for its strong, stable orange colour
- Used in famous 19th-century paintings
- No longer produced due to lead toxicity
- Also called Derby red, Persian red, and Victoria red
What colour is Chrome orange?
Chrome orange is a synthetic pigment that appears as a yellowish red to deep orange. Its colour can shift from light orange to a rich, almost red shade, depending on how it is made. It stands out for its strong, lasting colour and was once a favourite among artists for its stability and brightness compared to other orange pigments.
Where does Chrome orange come from?
The pigment was first synthesised in 1809, following the discovery of the mineral crocoite in 1797. Chrome orange is chemically known as Pb2CrO5, a mixed oxide of lead and chromium. Its natural mineral form, phoenicochroite, occurs in places like Russia, Chile, and the US. The name comes from its chromium content and its vivid orange hue.
How is Chrome orange made?
Chrome orange is made by mixing lead(II) salts with alkaline chromate solutions, or by treating chrome yellow with a strong base. Adjusting the pH during production controls the exact shade, from yellow to deep orange. In the 19th century, paint makers like Winsor and Newton used several synthetic methods, often combining lead chromate with additives and sulfate sources.
Where Chrome orange is used
This pigment was widely used in 19th-century painting. Impressionist artists valued it for its bright, stable colour. Notable works featuring chrome orange include Renoir's 'The Skiff' and Frederic Leighton's 'Flaming June'. Its use declined due to concerns about lead toxicity, and it is no longer made for artists' paints.
Orange around the world
What the orange family means from country to country.
The lowest band of the flag is orange, often called apricot, after the national fruit. The constitution says it stands for the creative talent and hard work of the people.
Politics and protestNature and renewalPrideSource: Flag of ArmeniaThe flag is split corner to corner. The orange half stands for the Buddhist tradition, and the white dragon across the middle for purity.
Sacred and holySource: Flag of BhutanOn 30 September people wear orange shirts to remember the children sent to residential schools. Phyllis Webstad's new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at one.
Mourning and deathPolitics and protestGriefSource: National Day for Truth and ReconciliationOrange is also the colour of the New Democratic Party. Its sweep of Quebec seats in the 2011 election was called the Orange Wave.
Politics and protestSource: New Democratic PartyThe flag shows the island in copper orange on white. The colour recalls copper, which was mined here in ancient times and may have taken its name from Cyprus.
Politics and protestNature and renewalSource: Flag of CyprusThe orange stripe of the flag stands for Protestants, the followers of William of Orange. In Northern Ireland the Orange Order still marches each 12 July in orange sashes.
Politics and protestSource: Orange OrderShades and relatives of Chrome orange
Chrome orange is closely related to chrome yellow, with the difference mainly in the chemical composition and pH during manufacture. It has also been called Derby red, Persian red, and Victoria red. The pigment can be confused with other orange and red lead-based pigments, but its lightfastness and specific hue set it apart.
Colours that go with Chrome orange
Harmonies are worked out from the value #E73501. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Chrome orange
What colour is chrome orange?
Chrome orange ranges from yellowish red to deep orange, depending on how it is made. It was described as a beautiful deep red in alkaline conditions.
Where does the name chrome orange come from?
The name comes from its chromium content, which gives the pigment its vivid orange hue.
How was chrome orange made?
It was made by mixing lead(II) salts with chromate in alkaline solution, or by treating chrome yellow with a strong base. The exact shade was controlled by adjusting the pH.
Why is chrome orange no longer used?
It is no longer produced as a pigment due to concerns over the toxicity of lead compounds.
What famous paintings used chrome orange?
Renoir's 'The Skiff' and Frederic Leighton's 'Flaming June' both feature chrome orange pigment.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chrome orange", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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