#3B3938 Hex Color
A grounded charcoal with professional stability
This dark, muted charcoal offers a stable and professional alternative to pure black. Because it lacks harsh saturation, #3b3938 works well for UI backgrounds where you need high readability without the starkness of ink black. White text remains legible against this neutral shade. If you are experimenting with mixing black, this hex code serves as a sophisticated, grounded base for minimalist design layouts.
Questions about #3b3938
What is #3b3938 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #3b3938 is rgb(59, 57, 56), in HSL hsl(20, 3%, 23%) and in CMYK 0%, 3%, 5%, 77%.
Is #3b3938 a good alternative to pure black for text?
#3b3938 provides superior readability for long-form content because it reduces the high-contrast strain caused by pure black on white screens. This subtle shift in saturation makes interface text feel more approachable while maintaining a grounded, professional hierarchy.
Which color palettes work best with #3b3938?
This charcoal pairs beautifully with cream or soft whites for a minimalist look, or pops of terracotta for a grounded, earthy contrast. Because it is neutral, it acts as a versatile canvas for both warm and cool accent colors.
Is #3b3938 readable on white or black?
#3b3938 has a 11.48:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.82:1 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.