Argent
A balanced and stable neutral grey
Argent is a balanced, neutral mid-grey that offers a stable foundation for professional interfaces. Because this shade provides a 5.9:1 contrast ratio against black, it works reliably for small body text. Avoid using it as a large, dominant background, as it can feel flat or dusty. Instead, use the hex code #888888 to ground vibrant accents in minimal design layouts.
About Argent
Overcast noon on an empty parking lot
What does argent mean?
Argent is the French word for silver, so it commonly stands in for metal, coins, and second place. With no hue at all and a mid-level lightness, it reads as steady, reserved, and hard to provoke.
Where you see argent
- concrete
- graphite pencil marks
- storm clouds
- cast iron skillets
- asphalt
- steel filing cabinets
What it works for
Use it for backgrounds, body text on light or dark pages, and anywhere a pure neutral must stay out of the way.
What colors go with argent?
Dusty Rose #b56f76The pink's warmth softens the grey's cool neutrality without turning sweet.Burnt Orange #cc5500Against a fully neutral grey, the orange's heat reads twice as strong.Navy #000080Two muted shades share a calm mood while staying far apart in lightness.Sage #9caf88Both sit near the middle of their range, so neither overpowers the other.
Questions about Argent
What is the hex code for Argent?
Argent is #888888. In RGB that is rgb(136, 136, 136), in HSL hsl(0, 0%, 53%) and in CMYK 0%, 0%, 0%, 47%.
How should I use #888888 in my layout?
Treat #888888 as a structural anchor rather than a large background field to avoid a dusty appearance. It works best to ground vibrant accents or as a secondary text color when you need to establish hierarchy without overwhelming the viewer.
Is Argent readable on white or black?
Argent has a 3.54:1 contrast ratio on white and 5.92:1 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.