Chinese Ink
A grounded and moody dark earthy brown
Chinese Ink is a dark, dusty brown that leans toward an ashy grey. This muted tone provides a grounding sense of strength for organic branding. Because it is so dark, white text offers excellent readability against it with a 12.5:1 contrast ratio. Designers should treat this as a moody background base rather than a vibrant accent. The hex code for this color is #3f312b.
Questions about Chinese Ink
What is the hex code for Chinese Ink?
Chinese Ink is #3f312b. In RGB that is rgb(63, 49, 43), in HSL hsl(18, 19%, 21%) and in CMYK 0%, 22%, 32%, 75%.
How should Chinese Ink be used in web design?
Use Chinese Ink as a sophisticated, high-contrast alternative to pure black for website backgrounds or text overlays. Because of its dark, ashy undertones, it provides a stable, organic grounding effect that makes white or pale cream typography pop comfortably.
What colors pair well with #3f312b?
This shade balances beautifully against cooler tones like dusty sage or soft blues to create a natural, outdoorsy feel. For a high-end, classic aesthetic, pair it with muted metallics or light, warm neutrals to keep the palette grounded.
Is Chinese Ink readable on white or black?
Chinese Ink has a 12.45:1 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.