#B5B196 Hex Color
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This ashy, dusty yellow reads as a practical neutral with an optimistic undertone. Because it is highly unsaturated, #b5b196 works well as a grounding base for construction-themed branding or budget-focused UI elements. It pairs surprisingly well with deep charcoals, which provide the contrast needed for readability. Black text renders clearly against this hue, making it a reliable choice for accessible copy on larger surfaces.
Questions about #b5b196
What is #b5b196 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #b5b196 is rgb(181, 177, 150), in HSL hsl(52, 17%, 65%) and in CMYK 0%, 2%, 17%, 29%.
What color palettes work best with #b5b196?
Deep, high-contrast neutrals are the best partners for this muted shade. Pairing #b5b196 with a rich charcoal or dark navy provides the visual weight necessary to ground the design, ensuring that any text remains legible against the light, ashy yellow background.
Is #b5b196 readable on white or black?
#b5b196 has a 2.16:1 contrast ratio on white and 9.69:1 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.