#525253 Hex Color
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#525253 is a dark, neutral grey with a faint cool undertone. It sits low in lightness without tipping into black, which keeps it serious rather than heavy. White text reads clearly on top, with contrast near 7.8:1, so it works well as a dark mode background or interface base. Pair it with terracotta or mustard to add warmth.
Questions about #525253
What is #525253 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #525253 is rgb(82, 82, 83), in HSL hsl(240, 1%, 32%) and in CMYK 1%, 1%, 0%, 67%.
What colors pair well with #525253?
Warm accents like terracotta, mustard, or burgundy keep #525253 from feeling flat, while soft whites lift it in typography. It also flatters muted blues and sage in larger palettes.
Is #525253 a good choice for dark mode design?
Yes. Its lightness gives it enough contrast for white text to pass WCAG AA for body copy, and it feels softer than pure black across large surfaces.
Does #525253 read warm or cool?
It leans slightly cool thanks to a subtle blue undertone, but the effect is faint. Next to warm neutrals it reads neutral, and beside cooler greys it can seem a touch warmer.
Is #525253 readable on white or black?
#525253 has a 7.80:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.69:1 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.