#171617 Hex Color
A rich, professional near-black neutral tone
#171617 is an intense, near-black grey that adds depth to minimalist designs. It functions as a stable neutral for dark mode interfaces, offering 18.0:1 contrast with white text. This hex code works best as a primary background where you want a moody, professional appearance. Pair it with soft creams or vibrant neon accents to balance the heavy saturation without creating visual fatigue.
Questions about #171617
What is #171617 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #171617 is rgb(23, 22, 23), in HSL hsl(300, 2%, 9%) and in CMYK 0%, 4%, 0%, 91%.
Why use #171617 instead of pure black?
Using #171617 softens the intensity of pure black, which reduces eye strain and creates a more natural, sophisticated depth in digital designs. This near-black tone mimics the organic shadows found in real-world lighting, making it feel less harsh on screen-based interfaces.
What color accents pair well with #171617?
Vibrant neon accents or soft creams provide excellent contrast against the depth of #171617, balancing its heavy saturation. The stark difference between the dark background and these lighter or brighter tones helps guide the user's eye and adds visual interest to a minimalist layout.
Is #171617 readable on white or black?
#171617 has a 18.04:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.16:1 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.