Eigengrau

Also known as: Absence of Light, Kuroi Black, River Styx, Back in Black

A muted gray with a balanced and versatile character, Eigengrau works beautifully for architecture and editorial layouts. Eigengrau plays well with black tones — the harmonies below show exactly which ones. On white it reads clearly at 18.00:1 contrast — safe for body text under WCAG AA.

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)

Color intelligence

sRGB safe

Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.

Temperature

CoolWarm

neutral, leaning cool

subtle purple undertone in this near-neutral

Nearest standard colors

  • 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 — 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 — dividers, chart series, 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

Tints, shades, and tones of Eigengrau

Tints (lighter)

Shades (darker)

Tones (muted)

Color harmonies

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

Contrast & accessibility

Aa — on white

contrast 18.00:1

AA passAAA passAA large pass

Aa — on black

contrast 1.17:1

AA failAAA failAA large fail

Best text color on a Eigengrau background: #ffffff

Palettes featuring Eigengrau

Eigengrau with its complement

Soft neighbors of Eigengrau

Eigengrau triad

Similar colors

Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Eigengrau is closest to King Kong.

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.

Got a photo with a color like this? Identify it with the analyzer — free, instant, private.