#555E5F Hex Color

Online color picker to view shades, tints, color codes, and complementary colors

Select a Color

Soot is a muted, dusty slate with strong cyan undertones. Because it sits at a mid-range darkness, it works effectively as a stable background or a supporting neutral in moody UI designs. This hex code #555e5f offers enough contrast to support small white body text while maintaining a serious, grounded aesthetic. It pairs surprisingly well with mustard yellow or coral accents for a modern look.

About Soot

Rain-heavy clouds over a quiet harbor town

What does soot mean?

Commonly linked with smoke, shadow, and overcast weather, it often reads as steady, practical, and unfussy. Its low lightness and faint cyan tint feel heavy and still, like a room with the curtains drawn.

Where you see soot

wet asphalt
cast iron pans
slate rooftops
charcoal pencil marks
storm clouds
stone countertops

What it works for

It works for muted page backgrounds, moody interior walls, dark interface surfaces, and details meant to sit back.

What colors go with soot?

Dusty Rose #b56f76The soft pink warmth lifts the heavy grey without breaking its muted mood.Mustard #ffdb58A warm yellow cuts through the cool shade and adds needed light.Cream #fffdd0Pale cream brightens the darkness, keeping the mix soft instead of stark.

Questions about Soot

What is the hex code for Soot?

Soot is #555e5f. In RGB that is rgb(85, 94, 95), in HSL hsl(186, 6%, 35%) and in CMYK 11%, 1%, 0%, 63%.

What color schemes work well with Soot #555e5f?

Soot #555e5f functions best as a stabilizing base for high-contrast palettes. Pair it with saturated warm tones like mustard or coral to balance the cool cyan undertones and create a modern, balanced look for your interface or print design.

How does the cyan undertone in #555e5f affect its usage?

The prominent cyan undertone pushes this color away from a flat, neutral gray toward a more atmospheric, cool-toned slate. This depth makes it ideal for dark mode user interfaces where you need a professional, readable background that feels less stark than pure black.

Is Soot readable on white or black?

Soot has a 6.66:1 contrast ratio on white and 3.15:1 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 works only for large text (24px, or 18.5px bold). Try other pairs in the contrast checker.