#858484 Hex Color
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This dusty, ashy grey serves as a practical, mid-tone neutral for interfaces and minimalist branding. While it lacks strong undertones, the hex code #858484 offers enough stability to function as a solid base or background. It maintains a 5.6:1 contrast ratio against black text, ensuring excellent readability for body copy, though it risks appearing flat when used without brighter accent colors.
Questions about #858484
What is #858484 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #858484 is rgb(133, 132, 132), in HSL hsl(0, 0%, 52%) and in CMYK 0%, 1%, 1%, 48%.
When should I use #858484 in a design?
Use #858484 as a foundational neutral for interface elements like borders, secondary text, or backgrounds. It offers enough contrast to maintain legibility while preventing the harshness of pure black, making it an ideal choice for clean, minimalist layouts.
Does #858484 lean warm or cool?
This color sits in a neutral zone, lacking the distinct warmth of beige or the icy depth of blue-greys. It reads as a true, dusty ash, allowing it to adapt to almost any palette without clashing with neighboring hues.
Is #858484 readable on white or black?
#858484 has a 3.72:1 contrast ratio on white and 5.63:1 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.