#282C2C Hex Color
A grounded and sophisticated near-black charcoal
#282c2c is a desaturated, near-black charcoal that feels grounded and somber. Because it sits on the dark end of the spectrum, it works best as a primary background for minimalist UI designs. Use it instead of absolute black to create a softer, more sophisticated look. White text reads clearly against this shade, maintaining strong accessibility for body copy. The hex code for this dark grey is #282c2c.
Questions about #282c2c
What is #282c2c in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #282c2c is rgb(40, 44, 44), in HSL hsl(180, 5%, 16%) and in CMYK 9%, 0%, 0%, 83%.
Why use #282c2c instead of absolute black?
Using #282c2c reduces eye strain and provides a more sophisticated, nuanced feel than the harshness of pure black. It offers a softer contrast that keeps text readable while maintaining a premium, deep-space aesthetic for websites and application interfaces.
What colors pair well with #282c2c?
This charcoal anchors vibrant accent colors effectively, making it a perfect base for high-contrast neons or muted pastels. Try pairing it with crisp white for readability, or introduce warmth with muted gold or terracotta accents to create a balanced, modern visual hierarchy.
Is #282c2c readable on white or black?
#282c2c has a 14.12:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.48:1 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.