21 — Light Alizarin
Reds family
DMC 21 — Light Alizarin — has hex #C0614D and RGB 192, 97, 77. This medium, moderately saturated red thread sits alongside its closest Anchor, Madeira, and J&P Coates matches below, with 8 similar DMC shades and a panel of color harmonies for palette planning.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 21
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar DMC Colors to 21
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 21
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground.
Its nearest neighbor, DMC 3778 (Terra Cotta light), is barely a step away (ΔE 3.01). Tweed the two together for subtle shading, or substitute freely when one is out of stock.
Color Harmonies for DMC 21
DMC threads that pair well with 21, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC 21 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 21
A medium, moderately saturated entry in the reds family, DMC 21 carries the name Light Alizarin with red-orange tones. Its tone is balanced and warm, making it a popular choice for berries and valentines. It pairs nicely in designs that call for poppies or cardinal birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is DMC 21?
DMC 21 is called Light Alizarin. It's a medium red shade (hex #C0614D, RGB 192, 97, 77) in the reds family, commonly used for tomato patterns, roses, and similar motifs.
What's the closest Anchor match for DMC 21?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) is Anchor 1013 (Terracotta) with a 82% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 338 (Mahogany Light, 82%) and Anchor 11 (Coral Medium, 71%).
What's a good substitute for DMC 21?
The closest DMC threads to 21 are 3778 Terra Cotta light (ΔE 3.01), 3859 Rosewood light (ΔE 4.87), and 3064 Desert Sand (ΔE 6.31). These are useful substitutes when 21 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What projects use DMC 21?
Cross-stitchers pull DMC 21 (Light Alizarin) for charts featuring tomato patterns, roses, hearts, holiday designs. The medium tone reads cleanly on its own and slots into multi-color palettes — see the color harmonies below for pairing ideas.
What fabric color works best with DMC 21 (Light Alizarin)?
It stands out clearly on both white and dark fabric, so it is an easy, versatile choice for any ground. For reference, 21 has a contrast ratio of about 4.2:1 on white fabric and 5.1:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.