Orange

Orange is a warm color that lies between red and yellow in the visible spectrum. The name is also associated with the fruit of the same name, although the color was used before the modern English word “orange” became common. Orange light has wavelengths roughly between 590 and 620 nanometres, although the boundaries of named colors are not exact. We perceive orange when light stimulates the cone cells in our eyes in a particular combination, and the brain interprets those signals as the experience of orange.

A surface appears orange when it reflects more light from parts of the spectrum associated with red and yellow while absorbing more of other wavelengths. The exact appearance depends on the material, the light source, and the colors around it. Orange can therefore be produced by different physical materials even when they look similar to our eyes. Orange occurs widely in nature. Many fruits and flowers contain pigments that produce orange shades by absorbing some wavelengths and reflecting others.

Carotenoids are an important group of natural pigments responsible for many yellow, orange, and red colors in plants and other organisms. In autumn, some leaves appear orange because chlorophyll breaks down and other pigments, including carotenoids, become more visible. Orange also occurs in animal coloration, where pigments or microscopic structures can create the appearance. People use orange in clothing, art, signs, packaging, and digital design. On a screen, there is no separate orange light.

Instead, red and green light are combined at suitable intensities to produce a signal that our visual system perceives as orange. Blue light can also be included when a particular shade is required. Because perception is influenced by lighting and surrounding colors, the same orange object can look different in different environments. Orange therefore provides a simple example of how physical light and visual perception work together.