#16181E Hex Color
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This near-black indigo is a dark, desaturated shade that reads as a sophisticated alternative to standard black. Because it has such low luminosity, the hex code #16181e serves best as a dominant UI background. It offers excellent contrast for white typography. Pair it with muted golds or soft, dusty teals to keep your dark-mode designs looking intentional rather than harsh.
Questions about #16181e
What is #16181e in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #16181e is rgb(22, 24, 30), in HSL hsl(225, 15%, 10%) and in CMYK 27%, 20%, 0%, 88%.
Why choose #16181e over standard black for UI design?
Using #16181e creates a softer visual experience while maintaining the high contrast needed for readability. The indigo undertones make it feel intentional and less harsh on the eyes compared to a flat, pure black background.
What colors pair best with #16181e?
This shade anchors muted tones perfectly, especially when paired with dusty teals or subtle golds. Keeping your palette desaturated ensures the composition remains sophisticated rather than competing with the dark background for visual attention.
Is #16181e readable on white or black?
#16181e has a 17.74:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.18:1 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.