#85A997 Hex Color
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This ashy, unsaturated green carries a dusty, muted quality that creates an immediate sense of stillness. Because of its balanced chroma, #85a997 works effectively as a calm, professional UI background. It offers enough contrast for black text to remain legible, making it a reliable choice for sustainable or wellness brands. Pair this hex code with warm terracotta accents to prevent the overall design from feeling flat.
Questions about #85a997
What is #85a997 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #85a997 is rgb(133, 169, 151), in HSL hsl(150, 17%, 59%) and in CMYK 21%, 0%, 11%, 34%.
What colors pair well with #85a997 for a balanced palette?
This ashy green works best when contrasted against warm, earthy tones like terracotta or deep burgundy. These pairings prevent the design from feeling too flat or monochromatic, adding necessary depth and visual interest to the interface.
Is #85a997 a good choice for UI backgrounds?
Yes, #85a997 serves as an excellent UI background because its unsaturated, balanced chroma reduces eye strain while maintaining a clean, professional aesthetic. It offers enough contrast to keep dark text readable, making it a reliable choice for long-form content.
Is #85a997 readable on white or black?
#85a997 has a 2.58:1 contrast ratio on white and 8.11:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it is too faint for text and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.