#040203 Hex Color
Online color picker to view shades, tints, color codes, and complementary colors

#040203 is an intense, ashy black that functions as a grounded alternative to pure black. This shade provides excellent contrast for white text, making it a reliable choice for dark mode UI backgrounds and editorial layouts. While it carries a somber and authoritative tone, avoid using it for fine typography where readability might suffer. Pair this hex code with metallic accents or muted pastels for a premium effect.
Questions about #040203
What is #040203 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #040203 is rgb(4, 2, 3), in HSL hsl(330, 33%, 1%) and in CMYK 0%, 50%, 25%, 98%.
Is #040203 suitable for large blocks of text?
Using #040203 for long-form body text is generally discouraged because its extreme depth can cause eye strain when read against bright backgrounds. It serves much better as a background color or for bold, large-scale typography where legibility remains high.
What colors pair best with #040203?
This ashy black works beautifully with muted pastels or sharp metallic accents, creating a high-end, sophisticated contrast. For a softer look, consider pairing it with a creamy off-white or a warm taupe to balance its somber, authoritative tone.
Is #040203 readable on white or black?
#040203 has a 20.68:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.01:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works for body text and on black it is too faint for text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.