#383636 Hex Color
A grounded charcoal with matte professional depth
A muted, charcoal-adjacent shade, #383636 provides a solid, grounding presence for minimal UI design. It lacks pure black intensity, making it softer for typography and large background blocks. Because it offers high accessibility, white text reads crisp against its surface. Use this hex code as a stabilizing base alongside muted blues or deep forest greens to avoid a flat, monochromatic result.
Questions about #383636
What is #383636 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #383636 is rgb(56, 54, 54), in HSL hsl(0, 2%, 22%) and in CMYK 0%, 4%, 4%, 78%.
Is #383636 a good replacement for pure black in user interface design?
Yes, #383636 is an excellent choice for interfaces because it reduces eye strain and provides a softer, more sophisticated look than harsh, pure black. It maintains strong contrast ratios for white text, ensuring your design remains accessible while appearing grounded and intentionally muted.
Which color combinations work best with #383636?
To prevent #383636 from feeling flat or muddy, pair it with desaturated cool tones like slate blue or earthy, muted greens. These combinations create a balanced, professional palette that feels modern without the high-energy contrast of a bright, primary-color scheme.
Is #383636 readable on white or black?
#383636 has a 12.00:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.74:1 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.