#5E4838 Hex Color
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The hex code #5e4838 identifies a dark, heavily muted brown with warm, ashy undertones and a matte finish. Its low saturation creates a serious, grounded mood for coffee, craft, vintage, and organic branding. Use it as a supporting tone or moody background, though large areas can feel heavy. White text reads clearly against it at about 8.5:1 contrast.
Questions about #5e4838
What is #5e4838 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #5e4838 is rgb(94, 72, 56), in HSL hsl(25, 25%, 29%) and in CMYK 0%, 23%, 40%, 63%.
What colors pair well with #5e4838?
#5e4838 pairs well with muted sage, dusty blue, and warm cream because their lighter values relieve its heavy, low-saturation brown base without making the palette feel stark on screen. Use cream for space and the green for a restrained organic direction.
Does #5e4838 read as warm or cool?
#5e4838 reads warm because its dark brown base carries a subtle red-orange cast, while its very low saturation keeps that warmth restrained rather than rich or lively in most palettes. It feels grounded and sober on screen, not reddish.
Where does #5e4838 work best in a palette?
#5e4838 works best as a dominant background or sturdy supporting tone in coffee, craft, food, tobacco, and vintage-inspired designs, especially when lighter text and warm neutrals provide enough visual separation. Its low chroma can look muddy in oversized blocks, so add texture or a lighter companion.
Is #5e4838 readable on white or black?
#5e4838 has a 8.53:1 contrast ratio on white and 2.45:1 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.