#868C94 Hex Color
A grounded, ashy blue with grey undertones
An ashy, muted blue, #868c94 carries a heavy grey undertone that keeps it grounded. Its low saturation makes it an excellent choice for corporate UI backgrounds where professionalism is key. This color provides enough contrast for black text to remain readable at small sizes. Pair it with crisp white or deep slate to avoid a washed-out appearance. The hex code for this dusty blue is #868c94.
Questions about #868c94
What is #868c94 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #868c94 is rgb(134, 140, 148), in HSL hsl(214, 6%, 55%) and in CMYK 9%, 5%, 0%, 42%.
What makes #868c94 a good choice for professional user interfaces?
The heavy grey undertone in #868c94 gives it a serious, stable quality that works effectively in corporate digital spaces. Because it is desaturated, it recedes into the background, providing enough contrast to make charcoal or black text easily legible at small sizes.
How can I pair #868c94 to create a balanced color palette?
Pair #868c94 with crisp white to brighten the composition, or use it alongside slate to lean into a sophisticated, monochromatic look. Avoid overly vibrant neons, which can clash with its muted, grounded nature, opting instead for earthy neutrals or muted tones.
Is #868c94 readable on white or black?
#868c94 has a 3.39:1 contrast ratio on white and 6.19:1 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.