#171719 Hex Color

A grounded near-black for modern interfaces

Hex color #171719 graphic
This near-black charcoal serves as a reliable base for dark mode interfaces. Pure black often strains the eyes, so #171719 offers a softer, more grounded alternative. It maintains high contrast with white text to satisfy accessibility requirements. Use this hex code for backgrounds when you need minimal depth without the harsh, flat quality of true black.

Questions about #171719

What is #171719 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #171719 is rgb(23, 23, 25), in HSL hsl(240, 4%, 9%) and in CMYK 8%, 8%, 0%, 90%.
Is #171719 better than pure black for dark mode?
Yes, #171719 is significantly better for most screen-based applications because pure black often creates eye strain due to extreme contrast. This charcoal shade provides a softer, more natural depth that makes long-term reading much more comfortable for users.
Is #171719 readable on white or black?
#171719 has a 17.90:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.17:1 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.