Ebony
Also known as: Ebony Clay , Dark Kettle Black , Hawk’s Eye , Stiletto
Ebony is a rich, muted gray that reads as balanced and versatile. It earns its place in editorial layouts and neutral backgrounds. Match it with gray accents when the design calls for energy over calm. On white it reads clearly at 12.66:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Ebony color codes
- HEX
- #313337
- RGB
- rgb(49, 51, 55)
- RGBA
- rgba(49, 51, 55, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(220, 6%, 20%)
- HSV
- hsv(220, 11%, 22%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(11%, 7%, 0%, 78%)
- LAB
- lab(21.2 -0.2 -2.9)
- OKLCH
- oklch(32.1% 0.008 264.5)
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 blue 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: black #000000 · ΔE 13.6
- RAL 9004: Signal black #2E3032 · ΔE 1.7 · 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 Ebony 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 Ebony
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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 Ebony 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 12.66:1
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 Ebony background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Ebony
Ebony with its complement
Soft neighbors of Ebony
Ebony triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Vulcan #36383C · ΔE 1.6
- Caviar #2B2C30 · ΔE 2.3
- Jet Black #353337 · ΔE 2.6
- Carbon #333333 · ΔE 2.7
- Night Sky #292B31 · ΔE 2.9
- Jaguar #29292F · ΔE 3.7
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Ebony is closest to Holy Crow .
FAQ
Ebony FAQs
What color is Ebony?
Ebony is a dark gray with the hex code #313337. In HSL terms it has a hue of 220°, 6% saturation, and 20% lightness.
What is the hex code for Ebony?
The hex code for Ebony is #313337. In RGB it's rgb(49, 51, 55), and in CMYK it's cmyk(11%, 7%, 0%, 78%).
What colors go well with Ebony?
Ebony pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
Planning around this color? See everything that goes with Ebony : 10 computed pairings with palettes.
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