#554331 Hex Color
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This muted brown sits on the edge of charcoal, offering a grounded, matte quality that feels serious and understated. The hex code #554331 works best as a sophisticated alternative to pure black in text-heavy interfaces, as white text remains highly legible against it. Because it is so unsaturated, pair it with muted sage greens or warm terracottas to avoid a muddy appearance.
Questions about #554331
What is #554331 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #554331 is rgb(85, 67, 49), in HSL hsl(30, 27%, 26%) and in CMYK 0%, 21%, 42%, 67%.
How can I use #554331 in a balanced color palette?
#554331 functions best when anchored by lighter, neutral tones or muted accent colors. Try pairing it with sage or soft terracotta to highlight its earthy warmth without letting the design feel overly heavy or muddy.
Is #554331 readable on white or black?
#554331 has a 9.40:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.23:1 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.