#111516 Hex Color
Online color picker to view shades, tints, color codes, and complementary colors
#111516 is an intensely dark, desaturated grey that functions as a softer alternative to pure black. This shade provides a stable, neutral foundation for modern UI design. Because white text maintains excellent legibility with an 18.4:1 contrast ratio, it shines as a dark mode background. The hex code #111516 grounds moody, minimal layouts without the harshness of true black.
Questions about #111516
What is #111516 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #111516 is rgb(17, 21, 22), in HSL hsl(192, 13%, 8%) and in CMYK 23%, 5%, 0%, 91%.
Why use #111516 instead of pure black?
#111516 acts as a softer, more sophisticated alternative to pure black because it eliminates the harsh, high-contrast flicker that can tire the eyes. Using this near-black shade creates a deeper, more natural depth in digital interfaces and dark mode themes.
What colors pair best with #111516?
Is #111516 readable on white or black?
#111516 has a 18.37:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.14:1 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.