#222C30 Hex Color
A sophisticated dim cyan dark mode base

A desaturated, dim cyan, #222c30 acts as a moody, almost grey base for modern dark-mode interfaces. It reads as a sophisticated alternative to pure black, providing better readability and a softer appearance. Because of its excellent contrast ratio with white text, this hex code is an ideal choice for background surfaces in tech or aerospace-focused design projects.
Questions about #222c30
What is #222c30 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #222c30 is rgb(34, 44, 48), in HSL hsl(197, 17%, 16%) and in CMYK 29%, 8%, 0%, 81%.
Why is #222c30 a better background choice than pure black?
#222c30 reduces eye strain and improves readability by softening the contrast between the background and text. It adds a subtle, modern depth to interfaces that pure black often lacks, making it feel more natural and less jarring for long-term viewing.
What colors pair best with #222c30?
This deep tone works well with soft, muted accent colors like a warm cream or a crisp silver to maintain visual hierarchy. Avoid using high-saturation primary colors directly on top, as they can clash with the sophisticated, desaturated nature of the background.
Is #222c30 readable on white or black?
#222c30 has a 14.27:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.47:1 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.