Gunmetal
Also known as: Marine Magic, Plot Twist, Limousine Grey Blue, Whale Grey
Gunmetal is what happens when cyan turns rich and muted. The effect is cool and clear, made for 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.
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)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
neutral, leaning cool
subtle cyan undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
- 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 — 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 — 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 Gunmetal
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
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
Contrast & accessibility
Aa — on white
contrast 6.34:1
AA passAAA failAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 3.31:1
AA failAAA failAA large pass
Best text color on a Gunmetal background: #ffffff
Palettes featuring Gunmetal
Gunmetal with its complement
Soft neighbors of Gunmetal
Gunmetal triad
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.
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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