Gunmetal
Also known as: Marine Magic , Plot Twist , Limousine Grey Blue , Whale Grey
Expect cool and clear associations from Gunmetal, a rich cyan suited to tech interfaces and water themes. For contrast, pair it with a gray from its complementary palette below. On white it reads clearly at 6.34:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Gunmetal color codes
- HEX
- #536267
- RGB
- rgb(83, 98, 103)
- RGBA
- rgba(83, 98, 103, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(195, 11%, 36%)
- HSV
- hsv(195, 19%, 40%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(19%, 5%, 0%, 60%)
- LAB
- lab(40.4 -5.0 -4.9)
- OKLCH
- oklch(48.5% 0.020 219.9)
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 cyan 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 7.8
- RAL 7012: Basalt grey #596163 · ΔE 2.9 · 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 Gunmetal 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: The safest brand-primary family there is; differentiate with an unexpected accent.
- 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 Gunmetal
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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 Gunmetal 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 6.34:1
AA pass AAA fail AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 3.31:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large pass
Best text color on a Gunmetal background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Gunmetal
Gunmetal with its complement
Soft neighbors of Gunmetal
Gunmetal triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Yacht Club #566062 · ΔE 2.3
- Lava Rock #535E64 · ΔE 2.3
- Fiord #4B5A62 · ΔE 3.3
- Grey Web #616669 · ΔE 4.8
- Blindfolded #5A5E61 · ΔE 4.9
- Seven Seas #4A5C6A · ΔE 5.0
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Gunmetal is closest to Underground .
FAQ
Gunmetal FAQs
What color is Gunmetal?
Gunmetal is a dark cyan with the hex code #536267. In HSL terms it has a hue of 195°, 11% saturation, and 36% lightness.
What is the hex code for Gunmetal?
The hex code for Gunmetal is #536267. In RGB it's rgb(83, 98, 103), and in CMYK it's cmyk(19%, 5%, 0%, 60%).
What colors go well with Gunmetal?
Gunmetal pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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