2003 — Brown Dark
Browns family#5D4433
Looking up Madeira 2003? It's Brown Dark, a medium-dark brown shade (#5D4433 / RGB 93, 68, 51). Scroll down for Cosmo, Classic Colorworks, and Weeks Dye Works equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close Madeira alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About Madeira 2003
Madeira Mouliné Sticktwist
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 10 m
Brand Equivalents for Madeira 2003
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
DMC
Anchor
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Similar Madeira Colors to 2003
Closest Madeira threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Madeira 2003
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
Because Madeira 1913 (Beige Brown Very Dark) is so near (ΔE 1.46), the pair makes a natural two-step gradient — handy for shading skin, petals, or skies without a hard seam.
Color Harmonies for Madeira 2003
Madeira threads that pair well with 2003, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Browns Family
Madeira2003 in context with nearby shades from the browns color family.
About Madeira 2003
Madeira 2003 is the floss known as Brown Dark: a muted, medium-dark member of the browns family with warm chocolate tones. The shade reads as deep and grounded — a go-to choice for animal fur and warm outlines. It also turns up in patterns built around wooden textures and coffee themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Madeira 2003 look like?
Madeira 2003 (Brown Dark) is a medium-dark shade in the browns family with hex #5D4433 and RGB 93, 68, 51. Stitchers reach for it in projects featuring cinnamon motifs and bark patterns.
Which DMC thread matches Madeira 2003?
The closest DMC match for Madeira 2003 (Brown Dark) is DMC 3790 (Beige Grey ultra dark) with a 82% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 3781 (Mocha Brown dark, 81%) and DMC 839 (Beige Brown dark, 77%).
What Madeira colors are similar to 2003?
The closest Madeira threads to 2003 are 1913 Beige Brown Very Dark (ΔE 1.46), 2006 Tan Ultra Very Dark (ΔE 2.8), and 2005 Chocolate (ΔE 4.42). These are useful substitutes when 2003 is unavailable or for building gradients.
When should I use Madeira 2003?
Reach for Madeira 2003 (Brown Dark) when your project calls for cinnamon motifs, bark patterns, gingerbread themes, tree trunks. Its medium-dark character carries both small accents and wider palette work; the harmony picks on this page show natural companions to 2003.
What fabric color works best with Madeira 2003 (Brown Dark)?
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, 2003 has a contrast ratio of about 9:1 on white fabric and 2.3:1 on black. As a soft warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.