#383535 Hex Color
A grounded and professional dark charcoal neutral
This dark, muted grey offers a grounded, professional alternative to stark black. Its low saturation keeps it understated, making it an excellent base color for minimalist UI design or moody typography. Pair #383535 with bright white text to maintain high readability, as the 12.1:1 contrast ratio ensures accessibility. As a neutral hex code, it balances serious depth with a clean, stable aesthetic.
Questions about #383535
What is #383535 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #383535 is rgb(56, 53, 53), in HSL hsl(0, 3%, 21%) and in CMYK 0%, 5%, 5%, 78%.
Does #383535 read better than pure black for website text?
Yes, #383535 is significantly softer on the eyes for extended reading than stark black while maintaining high legibility. It creates a more sophisticated, grounded visual hierarchy that feels less harsh against white or off-white backgrounds in user interfaces.
What colors pair well with #383535 for a design palette?
Because #383535 acts as a near-neutral, it pairs exceptionally well with muted earth tones like sage or soft metallics. For a modern high-contrast look, use it alongside crisp whites or light cool greys to maintain clean, airy spacing.
Is #383535 readable on white or black?
#383535 has a 12.14:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.72:1 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.