Iron
Also known as: Asphalt Grey, Knight’s Armour, Shades On, Rhine Castle
Iron is a rich, muted gray that reads as balanced and versatile. It shines in architecture and editorial layouts. Set it against a gray accent when you want the combination to pop. On white it reads clearly at 6.48:1 contrast — safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Iron color codes
- HEX
- #5E5E5E
- RGB
- rgb(94, 94, 94)
- RGBA
- rgba(94, 94, 94, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(0, 0%, 37%)
- HSV
- hsv(0, 0%, 37%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 63%)
- LAB
- lab(39.9 0.0 0.0)
- OKLCH
- oklch(48.2% 0.000 0.0)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
neutral, leaning warm
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: dimgray#696969 · ΔE 4.1
- RAL 7012 — Basalt grey#596163 · ΔE 4.2 · 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 Iron works
- Web & UI: Dark enough for body text and icons on white backgrounds — it passes WCAG AA as-is.
- Interiors: Strong for a whole room, excellent in doses: an accent wall, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
- Fashion: A wardrobe neutral: it anchors outfits and pairs with nearly any accent color.
- Branding: Craft and heritage material — coffee, leather goods, and premium packaging live here.
- Web & UI: A supporting-cast color for UI: chart fills, tags, empty-state illustrations — not text.
- Fashion: Wears best as the statement piece — a top, scarf, or shoes — against neutral basics.
Copy as — every ecosystem
Tints, shades, and tones of Iron
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Iron 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 6.48:1
AA passAAA failAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 3.24:1
AA failAAA failAA large pass
Best text color on a Iron background: #ffffff
Palettes featuring Iron
Iron with its complement
Soft neighbors of Iron
Iron triad
Similar colors
- Blindfolded#5A5E61 · ΔE 2.5
- Stone Cold#555555 · ΔE 3.2
- Cloak Grey#605E63 · ΔE 3.5
- Caveman#625C58 · ΔE 3.7
- Grey Web#616669 · ΔE 3.9
- Crucible#555B59 · ΔE 4.2
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Iron is closest to Blindfolded.
Iron FAQs
What color is Iron?
Iron is a dark gray with the hex code #5E5E5E. In HSL terms it has a hue of 0°, 0% saturation, and 37% lightness.
What is the hex code for Iron?
The hex code for Iron is #5E5E5E. In RGB it's rgb(94, 94, 94), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 63%).
What colors go well with Iron?
Iron pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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