#989998 Hex Color
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Basalt is a balanced, neutral grey with a distinct dusty quality. This mid-tone color functions well for UI backgrounds, providing excellent readability for small black text with a 7.3:1 contrast ratio. The hex code for this ashy shade is #989998. It serves as a stable base for minimal layouts, though it can appear washed out if paired with other light, low-contrast colors.
About Basalt
Poured concrete on an overcast afternoon
What does basalt mean?
Basalt grey often stands for neutrality and restraint, the in-between tone people reach for when a color would say too much. Its mid lightness and near-zero saturation read as steady and matte, like a surface that absorbs light instead of pushing any back.
Where you see basalt
- concrete sidewalks
- pencil lead
- river stones
- cast iron skillets
- gravel driveways
- unpolished granite countertops
What it works for
Use it as a quiet backdrop that lets brighter colors carry the page, or as the main tone in pared-down, industrial layouts.
What colors go with basalt?
Terracotta #e2725bThe warm baked orange gives the cool grey a fire it lacks on its own.Mustard #ffdb58Dirty yellow sits at a similar muted level, so neither one overpowers the other.Sage #9caf88Both are dusty and low-key, making a soft pairing that stays easy on the eyes.Blush #de5d83A pale warm pink lifts the neutral grey without breaking its calm.Olive #808000Earth green against stone grey borrows the palette of a rocky hillside.
Questions about Basalt
What is the hex code for Basalt?
Basalt is #989998. In RGB that is rgb(152, 153, 152), in HSL hsl(120, 0%, 60%) and in CMYK 1%, 0%, 1%, 40%.
Why is #989998 a strong choice for UI design?
Basalt functions exceptionally well as a background for digital interfaces because it maintains a 7.3:1 contrast ratio with standard black text, ensuring high readability for users. It avoids the harshness of pure black while providing more structure than light silver.
Is Basalt readable on white or black?
Basalt has a 2.85:1 contrast ratio on white and 7.34:1 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.