#553E15 Hex Color
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#553e15 is a desaturated, earthy brown with a dim, moody character. Because it is quite dark, it functions best as a grounding base or a rich background for rustic, organic branding. While it pairs well with cream tones, white text provides the best readability for accessibility. Avoid using it in large blocks where lighting is poor, as this hex code can quickly turn muddy.
Questions about #553e15
What is #553e15 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #553e15 is rgb(85, 62, 21), in HSL hsl(38, 60%, 21%) and in CMYK 0%, 27%, 75%, 67%.
Does #553e15 work well for website text?
No, #553e15 is too dark to provide sufficient contrast against most standard backgrounds. Use it primarily as a background color or decorative element, and pair it with a light, high-contrast text color like cream or off-white to ensure readability for all users.
What colors pair best with #553e15?
This desaturated brown shines when paired with muted organic tones like sage or warm cream. To create a balanced palette, avoid high-intensity primaries and instead layer it with soft textures or neutral tones that emphasize its dim, earthy character.
Is #553e15 readable on white or black?
#553e15 has a 10.06:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.08:1 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.