Anchor Stranded Cotton

323 — Orange Spice Light

Oranges family#FC945C

Looking up Anchor 323? It's Orange Spice Light, a medium-light orange shade (#FC945C / RGB 252, 148, 92). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, DMC, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Anchor alternatives and curated color harmonies.

Hex
#FC945C
RGB
252, 148, 92
HSL
21°, 96%, 67%
Lab
71.3, 34.3, 45.9
Lightness
67%
Light
Saturation
96%
Vivid
Hue
21°
Family
Oranges

About Anchor 323

Anchor Stranded Cotton Mouliné

Fiber
100% cotton
Sold as
8 m

Brand Equivalents for Anchor 323

The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.

Anchor 323Orange Spice Light

Similar Anchor Colors to 323

Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.

Working with Anchor 323

On white fabric
2.2:1
On dark fabric
9.5:1
Temperature
warm
Closest to
coral

It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.

Bold accents & focal points

With its high saturation, Anchor 323 (Orange Spice Light) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.

Color Harmonies for Anchor 323

Anchor threads that pair well with 323, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.

Complementary
Opposite on the color wheel — maximum contrast
Analogous
Adjacent hues — smooth, natural transitions
Triadic
Evenly spaced at 120° — vibrant and balanced
Monochromatic
Same hue, different lightness — great for shading

Oranges Family

Anchor323 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.

About Anchor 323

Known as Orange Spice Light, Anchor 323 is a medium-light, highly saturated shade sitting in the oranges family with deep amber tones. Expect a crisp and versatile look that suits fall harvest scenes, monarch butterflies, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching persimmon patterns or autumn leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anchor 323 — what color is it?

The color of Anchor 323 is Orange Spice Light — a medium-light orange thread (hex #FC945C, RGB 252, 148, 92). It shows up most in pumpkins and marigolds.

What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 323?

The closest DMC match for Anchor 323 (Orange Spice Light) is DMC 3825 (Pumpkin pale) with a 93% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 402 (Mahogany very light, 78%) and DMC 722 (Orange Spice light, 77%).

Which Anchor threads are close to 323?

The closest Anchor threads to 323 are 1047 Copper Light (ΔE 7.13), 328 Peach Medium (ΔE 7.33), and 9575 Terracotta Light (ΔE 7.69). These are useful substitutes when 323 is unavailable or for building gradients.

What is Anchor 323 good for?

Anchor 323 (Orange Spice Light) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring pumpkins, marigolds, fall wreaths, citrus motifs. Its medium-light tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 323.

What fabric color works best with Anchor 323 (Orange Spice Light)?

It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first. For reference, 323 has a contrast ratio of about 2.2:1 on white fabric and 9.5:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.