#1C1D20 Hex Color
A sophisticated dark charcoal alternative to black
This near-black shade is an incredibly dark charcoal with minimal saturation, offering a grounded alternative to pure black. It feels professional and sophisticated, making it ideal for UI backgrounds or typography where harsh contrast is unwanted. Because it provides a solid 16.9:1 contrast ratio against white text, the hex code #1c1d20 works reliably for readable, clean dark-mode interfaces without appearing flat or lifeless.
Questions about #1c1d20
What is #1c1d20 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #1c1d20 is rgb(28, 29, 32), in HSL hsl(225, 7%, 12%) and in CMYK 12%, 9%, 0%, 87%.
Why use #1c1d20 instead of pure black for UI design?
Using #1c1d20 creates a more balanced interface because it reduces the harsh strain caused by absolute black against white. This dark charcoal retains depth while remaining professional, making it the superior choice for high-contrast, readable text and background elements.
What colors work well with #1c1d20 in a design palette?
This charcoal pairs effectively with soft, muted tones to maintain a sophisticated aesthetic. You can use it alongside cool grey for a monochromatic interface or introduce muted gold as an accent color to bring warmth to the otherwise neutral palette.
Is #1c1d20 readable on white or black?
#1c1d20 has a 16.85:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.24:1 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.