#2E3440 Hex Color
A deeply moody, inky charcoal blend
This muted, inky shade sits between a dark navy and charcoal grey. With its low saturation and serious tone, #2e3440 works effectively as a stable, matte background for tech or security-focused UI. It offers excellent legibility with white text, providing enough contrast for small body copy. Pair it with soft, muted oranges or warm creams to keep the overall look from appearing too cold or sterile.
Questions about #2e3440
What is #2e3440 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #2e3440 is rgb(46, 52, 64), in HSL hsl(220, 16%, 22%) and in CMYK 28%, 19%, 0%, 75%.
What colors work best alongside #2e3440?
Pair #2e3440 with soft, muted oranges or warm creams to introduce necessary temperature contrast. Because this color is so dark and cool-toned, these warmer hues prevent the overall interface from feeling overly sterile or cold while maintaining a professional appearance.
Is #2e3440 suitable for text-heavy UI designs?
Yes, this dark, inky shade works exceptionally well for background areas because it provides excellent legibility for white or light-colored text. Its low saturation ensures it remains unobtrusive, letting your primary content and typography take center stage without becoming distracting or harsh.
Is #2e3440 readable on white or black?
#2e3440 has a 12.48:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.68:1 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.