#121313 Hex Color
A grounded alternative to pure black
This near-black grey provides a professional, grounded alternative to pure black in UI design. Because it lacks harshness, #121313 functions perfectly as a background color that offers high readability for white text. Use this hex code for dark mode interfaces to reduce eye strain while maintaining a moody, minimalist aesthetic. It pairs exceptionally well with muted earth tones or subtle metallic accents.
Questions about #121313
What is #121313 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #121313 is rgb(18, 19, 19), in HSL hsl(180, 3%, 7%) and in CMYK 5%, 0%, 0%, 93%.
Why use #121313 instead of pure black in UI design?
Using #121313 creates a more natural, comfortable viewing experience than pure black, which can appear harsh against white text. This near-black shade softens the contrast ratio, significantly reducing eye strain during long periods of use in dark mode interfaces.
What colors pair well with #121313 for high-end branding?
This color acts as a versatile neutral anchor that pairs beautifully with subtle metallic accents like gold or silver. It also creates a sophisticated, moody palette when combined with muted earth tones, such as olive or terracotta.
Is #121313 readable on white or black?
#121313 has a 18.61:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.12:1 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.