18 Orange Nail Ideas for a Juicy, Citrusy Manicure

Ready to give up the pale pinks and nude nail polishes in favor of brighter shades? Orange nail ideas are one of our summer favorites right now, and we’re leaning into how surprisingly versatile the vibrant color can be. Whether you love a darker, burnt orange sunset nail color, a lighter citrus shade, or a more delicate pink-y peach option, there’s an orange nail idea out there for you. No matter what hue you decide to choose, here’s our best tip: If you’re DIY-ing your nails, make sure to invest in a good top coat to seal your nail polish (and keep your hard work intact!) for longer.

Beyond just the color choices, orange nail art is unmatched. Into fruit-themed manis? Your nail artist can draw literal oranges on your nails. More of an abstract nail art design fan? Metallic golden accents pair gorgeously with orange. Basically, your options are endless.

But where to start, and how to decide? Well, orange you glad we’re here to help? Sorry, had to do it. We’ve sussed out the best orange nail ideas, from simple single-color manis to elaborate nail art and everything in between. Scroll through for our 18 favorite orange nail ideas to try for a fun summer manicure or pedicure, and don’t forget to screenshot to show your nail artist ahead of your next appointment.

Tangerine tips

Short nails, long nails, almond nails, stiletto nails: Orange looks good on anyone. These stiletto tips paired with lots of 3D builder gel are a tangerine dream.

Electric orange

With two hues of orange and fun nail art, this manicure is eclectic and energetic.

Glazed orange

Glazed donut nails, but make them orange. This pink and orange design topped with chrome is equally subtle and sweet.

Fiery lava

Want a simple, single-color mani that’ll still stop traffic? This molten lava-inspired shade is bright, vivid, and perfect for the task.

Tons of trends

Can’t decide which summer nail trend to go with? With this design, you don’t have to choose. Incorporate polka dots, animal print, and French tips into one summer-y look.

Cheerful daisies

Drawing daisies at the cuticle line of a couple nails paired with double French tips is a perfect recipe for a cute and cheerful mani.

Mediterranean summer

Blue and orange pair together perfectly. Case in point? These European vacay-inspired nails. We’re ready to sip Aperol spritzes by the seaside now.

Sunset aura

There’s nothing like a summer sunset, so bring those vibes to your nails with this ombré sunset design.

Coquette dreams

Dainty oranges paired with stripes and coquette bows? Sign us up. These orange cream nails have us dreaming of summer evenings.

Orange aura

Aura nails have proven that they’re here to stay. To get the look, paint a layer of orange nail polish onto each nail, and then use an airbrush tool to spray a darker shade of orange onto the middle of the nails.

Summer florals

If you love floral nail art, let a few orange flowers replace one French tip on each nail, as seen above. The dainty flowers add so much visual interest.

Color burst

Pink and orange anything is oh-so summery. We’re obsessed with the white starbursts and clear beads of builder gel for a playful look.

Marbled creamsicle

Marbled orange Frenchies? We’re so on board. These carnelian-like long nails are beyond dreamy for both summer and fall.

Orange seaside

Seashell-like builder gel, pearlescent waves, and sea star-shaped flowers make for an ocean-inspired mani.

Riviera nails

Headed to the Spanish coast this summer? Get the nails to match with these sardine, lobster, and citrus tips.

Sunburst Frenchies

Get a little burst of color on your fingers with these double Frenchies.

Solar flare

Bursts of auras in the center of each nail mimic a solar flare atop these vibrant colors.

Peachy keen

Love the idea of orange nails but not ready for the brightness? Consider a more muted pink-orange shade like this peach, complete with dots of orange for just a pop of color.

Catharine Malzahn is the contributing associate beauty editor at Glamour.