#383428 Hex Color

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Graphite is a dark, desaturated shade with dusty yellow and grey undertones. It brings a grounded, serious quality to moody designs and works best as a supporting element rather than a dominant background. Because it offers strong contrast against white text, the hex code #383428 is a reliable choice for readable, minimal user interfaces. Pair it with soft cream for an understated, balanced palette.

About Graphite

Charcoal stirred with a spoonful of dry mustard

What does graphite mean?

People often link dark yellowish greys like this one with soot, pencil graphite, overcast afternoons, and worn workwear. Its very low lightness and near absence of saturation make it feel heavy, matte, and closed off, like a room with the curtains drawn.

Where you see graphite

graphite pencil strokes
cast iron skillets
fireplace soot
wet potting soil
old camera bodies
dark rye crust

What it works for

Use it as a moody background for warm accents, or as a soft alternative to black in matte designs.

What colors go with graphite?

Dusty Rose #b56f76The soft pink warms the grey without making it look muddy.Ochre #cc7722It shares the yellow undertone, so the pair reads as deliberate.Cream #fffdd0Bright enough to stay readable, warm enough to keep the mood soft.Slate Blue #6a5acdBoth are muted, so neither color overwhelms the other.Burnt Orange #cc5500A saturated warm accent cuts through the near-grey darkness.

Questions about Graphite

What is the hex code for Graphite?

Graphite is #383428. In RGB that is rgb(56, 52, 40), in HSL hsl(45, 17%, 19%) and in CMYK 0%, 7%, 29%, 78%.

How should I use Graphite #383428 in a web interface?

Use #383428 as a primary choice for UI text or borders because it maintains strong contrast against white backgrounds while feeling softer than pure black. It grounds your layout without overwhelming the user or distracting from core interactive elements.

What color palettes work best with Graphite?

This shade pairs best with warm, light neutrals like cream or beige to balance its dusty, cool grey undertones. For a more sophisticated, moody look, try combining it with muted earth tones to keep the visual composition cohesive.

Is Graphite readable on white or black?

Graphite has a 12.42:1 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.