#383838 Hex Color
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Lacquered Liquorice is a grounded, dark charcoal that offers a clean alternative to pure black. Because it lacks extreme harshness, the hex code #383838 works perfectly for soft dark mode interfaces or text backgrounds. It pairs well with muted pastels or bright neons, though it shines brightest when supporting high-contrast white text. This neutral shade keeps designs professional and understated.
About Lacquered Liquorice
Charcoal worn smooth, the dark side of concrete
What does lacquered liquorice mean?
Dark greys often signal seriousness, restraint, and neutrality, which is why they appear so often in uniforms, machinery, and formal design. With almost no saturation and very low lightness, this grey feels heavy and still, like a room just before the lights switch on.
Where you see lacquered liquorice
- cast iron skillet
- graphite pencil shading
- asphalt on an overcast day
- unlit chalkboard
- slate roof shingles
- printer toner
What it works for
It works as a near-black background that reads softer than pure black, or as deep text and icon color on light surfaces.
What colors go with lacquered liquorice?
Butter #ffff81A warm pale yellow lifts the grey without shouting, like lamplight on a dark wall.Oxblood #800020Deep red adds richness while staying in the same low, moody register.Sage #9caf88Muted green softens the grey's weight and brings in a natural, earthy balance.Powder Blue #b0e0e6The pale cool blue reads clean against the dark grey, like frost on stone.Terracotta #e2725bBaked clay orange supplies warmth that this colorless grey completely lacks.Cream #fffdd0An off-white keeps the pairing calm and gives the grey room to anchor the page.
Questions about Lacquered Liquorice
What is the hex code for Lacquered Liquorice?
Lacquered Liquorice is #383838. In RGB that is rgb(56, 56, 56), in HSL hsl(0, 0%, 22%) and in CMYK 0%, 0%, 0%, 78%.
Is #383838 a good replacement for pure black in dark mode design?
Yes, #383838 is an excellent choice for dark mode interfaces because it offers enough contrast against white text while preventing the visual strain caused by pure black. This charcoal tone feels softer, more natural, and less harsh on the eyes during prolonged viewing.
Is Lacquered Liquorice readable on white or black?
Lacquered Liquorice has a 11.72:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.79:1 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.