#272529 Hex Color
A sophisticated charcoal alternative to black

#272529 is an extremely dark, desaturated charcoal that functions as a sophisticated alternative to pure black. Because it lacks harshness, this hex code works exceptionally well for dark mode interfaces or moody, minimal background surfaces. It provides enough contrast to hold white text comfortably for small body copy. Pair it with muted ochre or soft sage to break up its serious, industrial character.
Questions about #272529
What is #272529 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #272529 is rgb(39, 37, 41), in HSL hsl(270, 5%, 15%) and in CMYK 5%, 10%, 0%, 84%.
Is #272529 a good alternative to pure black for UI design?
Yes, #272529 is excellent for interfaces because it reduces the harsh contrast that pure black creates against white text, making long-form reading much more comfortable for users. It retains a high-end, grounded feel without overwhelming the viewer's eyes.
Which accent colors pair effectively with #272529?
Is #272529 readable on white or black?
#272529 has a 15.18:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.38:1 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.