#272529 Hex Color

A sophisticated charcoal alternative to black

Hex color #272529 graphic
#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?
This deep tone works beautifully with earthy, muted accents like sage or soft ochre to break up its serious character. Because #272529 is so neutral, it acts as a stable foundation for almost any desaturated or pastel color palette.
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.