#996959 Hex Color
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A dusty, desaturated red, #996959 feels grounded and earthy rather than energetic. Because of its muted, matte quality, it lacks the aggressive punch of brighter reds and works best as a supporting tone in a 60/30/10 palette. It pairs well with cream or sage green for a natural, subdued aesthetic. White text reads clearly against this shade, making it a viable option for small UI body text.
Questions about #996959
What is #996959 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #996959 is rgb(153, 105, 89), in HSL hsl(15, 26%, 47%) and in CMYK 0%, 31%, 42%, 40%. Browse more shades of brown with names and hex codes.
What colors pair best with #996959?
#996959 acts as a neutral grounding element, so it works exceptionally well when paired with creamy off-whites or soft sage green. These natural combinations highlight its dusty, desaturated red undertones without overwhelming the overall visual balance.
Is #996959 suitable for UI text or body copy?
Yes, #996959 offers enough depth to maintain readability when used as text against a very light background. It provides a softer, more modern alternative to standard black or dark grey for UI typography that needs to feel approachable.
Is #996959 readable on white or black?
#996959 has a 4.64:1 contrast ratio on white and 4.51:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works for body text and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.