#5A8385 Hex Color
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The hex code #5a8385 produces a muted cyan with gray-green and blue undertones. Its medium-dark value and low saturation create a matte, ashy feel that suggests calm and understatement. Use it as a supporting tone for interfaces, communication tools, or technology branding, pairing it with warm cream or burgundy. Black text reaches about 5.0:1 contrast for WCAG AA body text.
Questions about #5a8385
What is #5a8385 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #5a8385 is rgb(90, 131, 133), in HSL hsl(183, 19%, 44%) and in CMYK 32%, 2%, 0%, 48%.
What colors pair well with #5a8385?
#5a8385 works well with warm cream for gentle contrast, while burgundy or terracotta adds depth without fighting its low saturation; charcoal can anchor the palette when this cyan serves as a supporting tone in layouts or product interfaces. Keep the warm accent controlled so the palette stays restrained.
Does #5a8385 read warm or cool, and where is it useful?
#5a8385 reads cool because its blue-green hue is softened by gray, while its low saturation keeps the effect grounded; it suits interface backgrounds, communication products, aerospace themes, and productivity tools as a supporting field rather than a dominant brand color. Against white, it may look more washed out, so use darker text and stronger accents.
Is #5a8385 readable on white or black?
#5a8385 has a 4.18:1 contrast ratio on white and 5.01:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works only for large text (24px, or 18.5px bold) and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.