#85685A Hex Color

A grounded dusty brown with earthy undertones

Hex color #85685a graphic
This dusty, muted brown leans heavily toward desaturated orange, creating a bleak yet grounded aesthetic. Because of its low chroma, #85685a works best as a supporting tone in vintage or organic palettes. Pair it with crisp white to maintain readability, as it offers a solid 5.1:1 contrast ratio. Avoid using it as a primary background, as its dark, matte finish can feel overwhelming in large blocks.

Questions about #85685a

What is #85685a in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #85685a is rgb(133, 104, 90), in HSL hsl(20, 19%, 44%) and in CMYK 0%, 22%, 32%, 48%.
How can I effectively use #85685a in a design layout?
#85685a functions best as a supporting tone or background element rather than a primary focus. Pair it with crisp white or off-white to maintain readability and avoid overwhelming the user, as its dark, matte finish lacks the vibrancy needed for major UI components.
What kind of mood does #85685a convey in visual branding?
This shade evokes a sense of quiet, grounded stability and vintage charm. It communicates an organic, reliable, and unpretentious feeling, making it an excellent choice for branding that focuses on heritage, nature, or artisanal crafts where a raw, non-digital look is desired.
Is #85685a readable on white or black?
#85685a has a 5.09:1 contrast ratio on white and 4.12:1 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.