Oxblood
A deep, brownish red seen in ceramics, shoes and fashion
Oxblood is a very dark red with strong brown tones, sometimes showing hints of purple. The name comes from the colour of ox blood, and it has been used for centuries in pottery glazes and leather goods. Oxblood is especially known for its role in Chinese ceramics and as a popular shade for shoes and clothing.
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- Oxblood is a very dark red with brown undertones.
- The name comes from the colour of ox blood.
- Sang de bœuf glaze is a famous oxblood-coloured ceramic finish.
- Oxblood has been popular in fashion, especially for shoes.
- London Underground stations used oxblood-coloured tiles.
What colour is Oxblood?
Oxblood is a very dark red, leaning towards brown, and sometimes appears close to maroon or burgundy. Unlike burgundy, oxblood has less of a purple tint and more brown in its mix. The colour can vary, ranging from a deep red to shades that almost look black, with undertones of red, brown or even blue. Its richness and depth set it apart from other reds.
Where does Oxblood come from?
The term 'oxblood' comes from the actual blood of an ox, which darkens from bright red to a deeper, browner shade as it ages. The colour name appeared in English between 1695 and 1705. Ox blood was once used to dye fabrics, leather, and paint, giving rise to the colour’s name and its association with deep, earthy reds.
Where Oxblood is used
Oxblood is a classic choice for leather shoes and accessories, and has been a recurring trend in fashion, especially in the autumn and winter seasons. In ceramics, the French term 'sang de bœuf' refers to a traditional glaze in Chinese pottery, known for its rich, glossy oxblood colour. The exterior tiles of many early London Underground stations were also finished with a sang de bœuf glaze.
Red around the world
What the red family means from country to country.
The flag uses the four Pan-Arab colours: a red bar at the hoist with green, white and black bands. It was designed by a young Emirati, Abdullah Al Maainah, in 1971.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of the United Arab EmiratesThe flag is a black double-headed eagle on red, the banner of the fifteenth-century hero Skanderbeg. Fans chant Kuq e Zi, red and black.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of AlbaniaArmenian scribes painted manuscripts with vordan karmir, a crimson dye made from an insect that lives on the roots of grasses in the Ararat plain.
Sacred and holySource: Armenian cochinealUnder Juan Manuel de Rosas in the 1830s and 1840s, everyone had to wear a scarlet ribbon to show loyalty to his Federalist party. His enemies, the Unitarians, were tied to sky blue.
Politics and protestFearSource: Juan Manuel de RosasThe flag is red, white and red. Legend says Duke Leopold V's white tunic was soaked in blood at the siege of Acre, all but the band under his belt.
Politics and protestCourageSource: Flag of AustriaRed ochre is used in Aboriginal rock art and ceremony, and is traded over long distances. In the Aboriginal flag the red half stands for the earth and for that ochre.
Sacred and holyNature and renewalAweSource: Australian Aboriginal flagShades and relatives of Oxblood
Oxblood is often compared to maroon and burgundy, but it stands out for its stronger brown tones and less purple. The name can cover a range of dark reds, some with hints of purple or blue, and others so dark they appear nearly black. It is sometimes confused with 'cordovan', though that term properly refers to a type of leather.
Colours that go with Oxblood
Harmonies are worked out from the value #4A0000. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Oxblood
What colour is oxblood?
Oxblood is a deep, dark red with strong brown tones. It can range from a rich red to almost black, sometimes with hints of purple or blue.
Where does the name oxblood come from?
The name comes from the blood of an ox, which darkens to a brownish red as it oxidises. The term was first used in English between 1695 and 1705.
What is oxblood used for?
Oxblood is seen in leather shoes, clothing, and accessories. It is also a classic glaze colour in Chinese ceramics and was used on the exterior tiles of early London Underground stations.
Is oxblood the same as burgundy?
Oxblood is similar to burgundy but has less purple and more brown in its mix, making it a darker and earthier red.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Oxblood", 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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