Traditional

Gray Black

Gray Black
#222222Click to copy

Gray Black Parameter Conversion Table

More converters →
HEX#222222Copy
RGBrgb(34, 34, 34)Copy
HSLhsl(0, 0%, 13%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(0, 0%, 13%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 87%)Copy
Complementary
#222222
Click to copy
#222222
Click to copy
Analogous
#222222
Click to copy
#222222
Click to copy
Split Complementary
#222222
Click to copy
#222222
Click to copy
Monochromatic
#222222
Click to copy
#555555
Click to copy
#888888
Click to copy
#000000
Click to copy
#000000
Click to copy
#000000
Click to copy

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)

Sample text Aa
White background #FFFFFF
15.91 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
1.32 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
14.59 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
1.26 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large

Gray Black Shade Variants

Gradient Generator →
Lighten with White Mixed with white for a lighter, softer color
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Darken with Black Mixed with black for a deeper, heavier color
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Muted / Morandi Mixed with gray and desaturated for a sophisticated muted tone
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%

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.