Matt Black
An uncompromising and sophisticated deep black
Matt Black is an uncompromising, near-black shade that functions perfectly as a dominant background tone. It creates a high-contrast foundation for white typography, which remains crisp and legible against this dark surface. Because #151515 is so neutral, it works best in minimalist interfaces or moody product branding where you need to convey sophistication without distraction. The hex code for this color is #151515.
Questions about Matt Black
What is the hex code for Matt Black?
Matt Black is #151515. In RGB that is rgb(21, 21, 21), in HSL hsl(0, 0%, 8%) and in CMYK 0%, 0%, 0%, 92%.
Why use #151515 instead of pure black?
#151515 feels less harsh on the eyes than absolute black because it retains a slight, subtle softness. It creates a more natural appearance on screens, reducing visual strain while maintaining the stark, high-contrast appeal required for clean, professional typography and minimalist layouts.
What colors pair well with #151515?
Crisp whites or soft off-whites provide the best readability when placed over this deep shade. For a more subtle approach, you can pair #151515 with muted metallics like silver or platinum to add a touch of sophisticated texture without compromising the overall dark aesthetic.
Is Matt Black readable on white or black?
Matt Black has a 18.26:1 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.