Gray Black
Gray Black Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →Gray Black Color Schemes
Gray Black WCAG Accessibility Contrast
WCAG Calculator →The contrast ratio of this color against common foreground/background colors (based on the WCAG 2.1 standard)
Gray Black Shade Variants
Gradient Generator →Gray Black Color Introduction
Definition
Gray Black (HEX #222222) has the RGB value rgb(34, 34, 34), the HSL value hsl(0°, 0%, 13%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 87%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Gray Black is #222222, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #222222 and #222222 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#222222, #222222) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Gray Black uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Gray Black has a contrast ratio of 15.91:1 against white and 1.32:1 against black; paired with a white background it reaches AAA, making body text highly readable.
Color Characteristics
Pairings of black and white carry no interference from any color tendency, letting the content itself take center stage — which is why they are regarded as classics in premium branding and minimalist design. Specifically, Gray Black has a lightness of 13% and a saturation of 0%, on a page it works well as a dark background or heading text color, creating a strong sense of visual weight; moreover, it contains almost no chromatic content, giving it a restrained, understated character that makes it ideal for creating a premium feel and a sense of space. In a word: A transitional color between black and gray, soft and steady; commonly used in folk dress, ceramics, and architectural decoration, expressing plainness.
Color Psychology
Psychologically, black-and-white palettes represent the ultimate and an attitude; they strip away emotional noise and express sophistication and modernity in the purest way. For this reason Gray Black tends to leave a first impression of being pure and powerful in the viewer’s mind, and this emotional tone also defines the role it plays in design.
Best Uses
Black-and-white palettes are commonly used for large headlines, logos and generous negative-space layouts; a monochrome base with a single bright accent immediately creates a strong modern feel. In real projects, Gray Black is also often used as a dark background or heading text color; in “Black & White”-themed designs, the adjacent colors or lightness gradients built around it quickly establish a cohesive, clearly layered color scheme.
Gray Black Featured In
This color is included in the following color cards and color families. Click a card to browse more colors in the corresponding collection.

