Pantone TCX 18-1663 - Chinese Red
Pantone TCX 18-1663 (Chinese Red) is a Textile Cotton eXtended color with a HEX approximation of #B01C2E, RGB 176, 28, 46, and CMYK 0/84/74/31. It is a red tone typically used in brand uniforms, statement garments, accessories, and premium upholstery. Its closest Pantone Solid Coated match is 1805 C (Delta E 1.48), and its closest TCX neighbor is 19-1664 (True Red).
About TCX 18-1663
TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended) is Pantone's color system for apparel, textiles, and home furnishings. Every TCX code follows the format XX-YYYY: the first two digits encode lightness (11 is very light, 19 is very dark) and the four digits encode hue and chroma. TCX colors are printed on cotton fabric swatches, making them the reference standard for textile production - the same substrate that the finished product will use.
Like every TCX code, 18-1663 is defined by a physical cotton swatch in Pantone's FHI Color Guide, not by a digital value. The HEX approximation #B01C2E is the most commonly-published translation, but physical TCX swatches are the only authoritative source. The full TCX library contains more than 2,300 colors; our reference covers 50 benchmark codes that include all 27 Color of the Year picks plus 21 additional FHI benchmarks.
Closest Pantone Solid Coated match
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to TCX 18-1663 is 1805 C (#AF272F), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 1.48. This is a close match for a print-to-textile translation - verify against physical samples before production.
Closest TCX neighbors
These TCX codes are perceptually closest to 18-1663, sorted by Delta E 2000. Codes within the same family typically differ by Delta E 2-8 - siblings rather than duplicates.
Where TCX 18-1663 is used
TCX reds cover crimson, tomato, and deep wine tones; they are among the most-searched TCX color families because red is a classic brand and statement color for apparel. TCX 18-1663 is typically specified in brand uniforms, statement garments, accessories, and premium upholstery. Its red tone makes it appropriate wherever a bold, energetic, or attention-catching palette is wanted. Before specifying TCX 18-1663 for a production run, verify against a physical TCX color swatch under the actual lighting conditions and fabric weave that will be used - the same code looks meaningfully different across substrates and finishes.
Frequently asked questions
What is TCX 18-1663 in HEX?
Pantone TCX 18-1663 (Chinese Red) has a HEX approximation of #B01C2E. This is a widely-published digital approximation - Pantone does not publish official hex values for TCX codes, since TCX is a physical fabric standard. Different published sources disagree by 2-5% for the same code. #B01C2E is close to every commonly-cited reference.
What is the closest Pantone Solid Coated match to TCX 18-1663?
The closest Pantone Solid Coated color to TCX 18-1663 is 1805 C (#AF272F), with a perceptual difference of Delta E 2000 = 1.48. This is close given that Solid Coated and TCX are different media - but for production work you should still verify against both the physical Solid Coated chip and the physical TCX swatch.
Where is TCX 18-1663 commonly used?
TCX 18-1663 (Chinese Red) is typically used in brand uniforms, statement garments, accessories, and premium upholstery. Its red tone makes it appropriate wherever a bold, energetic, or attention-catching palette is wanted.
What NCS/RAL/etc. codes is TCX 18-1663 close to?
TCX and NCS and RAL are different systems that do not cross-reference officially. If you need TCX 18-1663 translated to one of those systems, use our <a href="/pantone-to-ncs/" class="text-accent hover:underline">Pantone to NCS converter</a> or <a href="/pantone-to-ral/" class="text-accent hover:underline">Pantone to RAL converter</a> with the Pantone Solid Coated equivalent (1805 C) as the starting point. Remember that all cross-system matches are approximations, not production specifications.
Is TCX 18-1663 accurate enough for production use?
No. TCX codes on this site are digital approximations of the physical Pantone TCX standard, for design reference and browsing. For any production use - apparel manufacturing, upholstery, uniform sourcing - order the physical TCX swatch from Pantone (via the FHI Color Guide or Pantone Connect) and verify the color under the actual lighting conditions where the finished product will be seen. This is the only reliable approach.