742 — Tangerine light
Oranges family
DMC 742 — Tangerine light — has hex #FFA523 and RGB 255, 165, 35. This medium-light, highly saturated orange 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 742
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 742
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 742
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Saturated shades like DMC 742 (Tangerine light) punch above their stitch count — ideal for the one detail in a design that should grab attention.
Because DMC 972 (Canary deep) is so near (ΔE 1.56), the pair makes a natural two-step gradient — handy for shading skin, petals, or skies without a hard seam.
Color Harmonies for DMC 742
DMC threads that pair well with 742, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC 742 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About DMC 742
DMC 742 is the floss known as Tangerine light: a highly saturated, medium-light member of the oranges family with golden orange tones. Its tone is balanced and lively, making it a popular choice for warm accents and seasonal designs. It pairs nicely in designs that call for pumpkins or marigolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMC 742 look like?
DMC 742 (Tangerine light) is a medium-light shade in the oranges family with hex #FFA523 and RGB 255, 165, 35. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring fall harvest scenes and monarch butterflies.
Which Anchor thread matches DMC 742?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 742 (Tangerine light) is Anchor 298 (Golden Yellow Dark) with a 86% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 306 (Gold, 82%) and Anchor 302 (Burnt Orange Light, 76%).
What DMC colors are similar to 742?
The closest DMC threads to 742 are 972 Canary deep (ΔE 1.56), 728 Golden Yellow (ΔE 5.26), and 725 Topaz (ΔE 7). These are useful substitutes when 742 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use DMC 742?
Reach for DMC 742 (Tangerine light) when your project calls for fall harvest scenes, monarch butterflies, persimmon patterns, autumn leaves. Its medium-light character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 742.
What fabric color works best with DMC 742 (Tangerine 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, 742 has a contrast ratio of about 2:1 on white fabric and 10.7:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.