#494643 Hex Color
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This dark, dusty charcoal offers a grounding neutral base for moody interfaces or minimalist typography. Because it sits at a low lightness level, white text remains highly legible against it. #494643 is the hex code to use when you need a serious, professional backdrop that avoids the harshness of pure black. It shines as a dominant background tone when paired with soft, warm metallics.
Questions about #494643
What is #494643 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #494643 is rgb(73, 70, 67), in HSL hsl(30, 4%, 27%) and in CMYK 0%, 4%, 8%, 71%.
Is #494643 a good alternative to pure black?
Using #494643 creates a softer, more professional aesthetic than using absolute black. It feels less jarring on the eyes, making it an excellent choice for background surfaces or body text when paired with a clean white or light cream.
What colors pair best with #494643?
Is #494643 readable on white or black?
#494643 has a 9.37:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.24:1 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.