Eigengrau
Also known as: Absence of Light , Kuroi Black , River Styx , Back in Black
There is a balanced and versatile quality to Eigengrau. The muted, neutral gray at #16161D rewards architecture and editorial layouts. Eigengrau plays well with black tones. The harmonies below show which ones. On white it reads clearly at 18.00:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Eigengrau color codes
- HEX
- #16161D
- RGB
- rgb(22, 22, 29)
- RGBA
- rgba(22, 22, 29, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(240, 14%, 10%)
- HSV
- hsv(240, 24%, 11%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(24%, 24%, 0%, 89%)
- LAB
- lab(7.5 1.5 -4.9)
- OKLCH
- oklch(20.3% 0.014 285.1)
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: black #000000 · ΔE 6.7
- RAL 5004: Black blue #1D1F2A · ΔE 3.6 · 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 Eigengrau 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 Eigengrau
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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 Eigengrau 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 18.00:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 1.17:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Eigengrau background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Eigengrau
Eigengrau with its complement
Soft neighbors of Eigengrau
Eigengrau triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Dark Rift #060B14 · ΔE 3.6
- Dark Moon #161718 · ΔE 4.6
- Ink Black #252024 · ΔE 4.8
- Umbra #211E1F · ΔE 5.0
- Eight Ball #03050A · ΔE 5.0
- Darth Vader #27252A · ΔE 5.1
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Eigengrau is closest to King Kong .
FAQ
Eigengrau FAQs
What color is Eigengrau?
Eigengrau is a dark gray with the hex code #16161D. In HSL terms it has a hue of 240°, 14% saturation, and 10% lightness.
What is the hex code for Eigengrau?
The hex code for Eigengrau is #16161D. In RGB it's rgb(22, 22, 29), and in CMYK it's cmyk(24%, 24%, 0%, 89%).
What colors go well with Eigengrau?
Eigengrau pairs naturally with black tones from its complementary harmony, and with orange accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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