#B5AE9C Hex Color

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Hex color #b5ae9c graphic
#b5ae9c presents as a muted, ashy beige with subtle yellow undertones. This dusty, desaturated shade offers a neutral alternative to warmer tones, functioning best as a supporting background rather than a focal point. Because it lacks intensity, pair it with charcoal or deep navy for necessary visual weight. The hex code for this understated, utilitarian color is #b5ae9c.

Questions about #b5ae9c

What is #b5ae9c in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #b5ae9c is rgb(181, 174, 156), in HSL hsl(43, 14%, 66%) and in CMYK 0%, 4%, 14%, 29%.
What colors pair best with #b5ae9c for a balanced look?
#b5ae9c thrives when paired with high-contrast, dark neutrals to provide necessary visual weight. Because of its muted, ashy quality, it sits elegantly alongside charcoal or deep navy to ground the design and prevent the palette from feeling washed out.
Is #b5ae9c considered a warm or cool neutral tone?
This color sits in a transitional space, leaning slightly warm due to its subtle yellow undertones while maintaining a desaturated, cool-toned character overall. This unique balance makes #b5ae9c a practical choice for interfaces requiring a soft, non-distracting background that avoids harsh yellow or orange glare.
Is #b5ae9c readable on white or black?
#b5ae9c has a 2.21:1 contrast ratio on white and 9.49:1 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.