Black Magic
Also known as: Witching , Feminin Nightshade , Violet Intense , Midnight Affair
Few grays feel this muted. Black Magic leans neutral and quiet and sophisticated, which points it toward minimal interfaces and architecture. Because it leans neutral, balancing it with a green keeps a palette from feeling one-note. On white it reads clearly at 9.08:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Black Magic color codes
- HEX
- #4F4554
- RGB
- rgb(79, 69, 84)
- RGBA
- rgba(79, 69, 84, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(280, 10%, 30%)
- HSV
- hsv(280, 18%, 33%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(6%, 18%, 0%, 67%)
- LAB
- lab(30.7 6.8 -7.4)
- OKLCH
- oklch(40.6% 0.028 314.5)
Analysis
Color intelligence
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Gamut
The full range of colors a device or space can show. sRGB is the common screen gamut; Display P3 is wider. A color outside a gamut cannot be shown accurately there and must be mapped inward.Full glossary entry →Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
Undertone
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neutral, leaning cool
subtle purple undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →- CSS: dimgray #696969 · ΔE 15.5
- RAL 7024: Graphite grey #474A50 · ΔE 9.1 · approximate
RAL values are widely published approximations of the physical standard. For Pantone-adjacent workflows, match by eye against a physical fan deck. Pantone's values are proprietary and device-dependent, so we don't print lookups.
Where Black Magic works
- Web & UI: Dark enough for body text and icons on white backgrounds. It passes WCAG AA as-is.
- Interiors: Strong for a whole room, excellent in doses: an accent wall, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
- Fashion: A wardrobe neutral: it anchors outfits and pairs with nearly any accent color.
- Branding: Craft and heritage material: coffee, leather goods, and premium packaging live here.
- Web & UI: A supporting-cast color for UI: chart fills, tags, and empty-state illustrations, but not text.
- Fashion: Wears best as the statement piece, a top, scarf, or shoes, against neutral basics.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Black Magic
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Harmonies
Color harmonies
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →Palettes built from Black Magic by rotating its hue in OKLCH space. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split-complementary
Tetradic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast & accessibility
Aa on white
contrast 9.08:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 2.31:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Black Magic background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Black Magic
Black Magic with its complement
Soft neighbors of Black Magic
Black Magic triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Gun Powder #484753 · ΔE 4.8
- Freefall #565266 · ΔE 5.3
- Fedora #625665 · ΔE 6.1
- Pinot Noir #605258 · ΔE 6.5
- Tuxedo #3F3C43 · ΔE 6.6
- Voodoo #443240 · ΔE 6.7
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Black Magic is closest to Deep Forest .
FAQ
Black Magic FAQs
What color is Black Magic?
Black Magic is a dark gray with the hex code #4F4554. In HSL terms it has a hue of 280°, 10% saturation, and 30% lightness.
What is the hex code for Black Magic?
The hex code for Black Magic is #4F4554. In RGB it's rgb(79, 69, 84), and in CMYK it's cmyk(6%, 18%, 0%, 67%).
What colors go well with Black Magic?
Black Magic pairs naturally with green tones from its complementary harmony, and with yellow accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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