Umbra
An exceptionally dark, neutral near-black grey
Umbra is an exceptionally dark, near-black grey that creates a moody, grounded foundation for design. Because it lacks strong chroma, it feels sterile and professional rather than warm or cool. The hex code for this shade is #211e1f. It works well as a background for high-contrast interface elements, though its darkness means it requires white text for legibility. Pair it with neon accents for a modern edge.
About Umbra
Ash settled overnight on a cold fireplace floor
What does umbra mean?
Umbra sits so close to black that it often carries the same associations: shadow, formality, and restrained seriousness. With almost no color left in it, it feels heavy and still, like a room right after the lights go out.
Where you see umbra
- cast iron pan
- charcoal pencil
- coffee grounds
- burnt toast
- coal
- slate roof
What it works for
It works as a near-black backdrop that reads slightly softer and warmer than pure black on screen.
What colors go with umbra?
Cream #fffdd0The warm white keeps Umbra from feeling sealed shut and gives text room to breathe.Dusty Rose #b56f76Both colors carry a muted warmth, so the pink softens without turning sugary against the dark.Burnt Orange #cc5500A low ember tone against ash-dark gray reads like the last heat in a dying fire.Slate Blue #6a5acdTwo muted darks stack into a cold, overcast palette with real depth between them.Olive #808000The green's earthiness keeps Umbra grounded and stops the pair from feeling flat or sterile.
Questions about Umbra
What is the hex code for Umbra?
Umbra is #211e1f. In RGB that is rgb(33, 30, 31), in HSL hsl(340, 5%, 12%) and in CMYK 0%, 9%, 6%, 87%.
How should I use #211e1f in a UI design?
#211e1f works best as a primary background color for dark mode interfaces because it is significantly softer on the eyes than pure black. Always pair it with white or light gray typography to ensure text legibility remains accessible for all users.
Does Umbra #211e1f read as a warm or cool color?
Umbra is a neutral, low-chroma grey that lacks distinct warm or cool undertones, making it highly versatile for corporate branding. It sits firmly between black and dark charcoal, allowing it to act as a sophisticated anchor without clashing with other palettes.
Is Umbra readable on white or black?
Umbra has a 16.53:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.27:1 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.