Carbon

#333333

Also known as: Tomcat , Jet , Dark Charcoal , Off Black

Expect neutral and understated associations from Carbon, a rich gray suited to architecture and editorial layouts. Set it against a gray accent when you want the combination to pop. It's dark enough to use for text on white backgrounds (12.63:1, passes WCAG AA).

Reference

Carbon color codes

HEX: #333333
RGB: rgb(51, 51, 51)
RGBA: rgba(51, 51, 51, 1)
HSL: hsl(0, 0%, 20%)
HSV: hsv(0, 0%, 20%)
CMYK: cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 80%)
LAB: lab(21.2 0.0 0.0)
OKLCH: oklch(32.1% 0.000 0.0)

Analysis

Color intelligence

sRGB safe

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

The subtle secondary bias in a color that seems neutral. A gray can have a blue or green undertone; a white can lean warm or cool. Undertones decide whether two near-neutrals clash or agree.Full glossary entry →

CoolWarm

neutral, leaning warm

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 →

CSS: black #000000 · ΔE 13.4
RAL 9004: Signal black #2E3032 · ΔE 1.9 · 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 Carbon works

Web & UI: Use it directly for text on light surfaces; it clears AA contrast without adjustment.
Interiors: Use it where you want the eye to land: a front door, built-ins, or one bold wall.
Fashion: Works as a base layer or outerwear tone that lets brighter pieces do the talking.
Branding: As a brand anchor it reads established and tactile; pair with a single vivid accent for energy.
Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
Fashion: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.

Copy as: every ecosystem

Variations

Tints, shades, and tones of Carbon

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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)

Tones (muted)

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 →

Palettes built from Carbon 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 12.63:1

AA pass AAA pass AA large pass

Aa on black

contrast 1.66:1

AA fail AAA fail AA large fail

Best text color on a Carbon background: #ffffff

Palettes

Palettes featuring Carbon

Carbon with its complement

Soft neighbors of Carbon

Carbon triad

Explore

Similar colors

Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Carbon is closest to Dead Pixel .

FAQ

Carbon FAQs

What color is Carbon?

Carbon is a dark gray with the hex code #333333. In HSL terms it has a hue of 0°, 0% saturation, and 20% lightness.

What is the hex code for Carbon?

The hex code for Carbon is #333333. In RGB it's rgb(51, 51, 51), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 80%).

What colors go well with Carbon?

Carbon pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.

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