Liquorice
Also known as: Blackout, Smoky Black, Pupil, Stout
Liquorice sits on the neutral side of the spectrum: a lively black that feels bold and timeless. Try it in high-contrast UI and luxury branding. Because it leans neutral, balancing it with a black keeps a palette from feeling one-note. On white it reads clearly at 20.28:1 contrast — safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Liquorice color codes
- HEX
- #0A0502
- RGB
- rgb(10, 5, 2)
- RGBA
- rgba(10, 5, 2, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(23, 67%, 2%)
- HSV
- hsv(23, 80%, 4%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 50%, 80%, 96%)
- LAB
- lab(1.6 1.0 1.6)
- OKLCH
- oklch(12.2% 0.016 63.8)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
neutral, leaning warm
subtle orange undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: black#000000 · ΔE 2.2
- RAL 9005 — Jet black#0A0A0D · 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 Liquorice 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 Liquorice
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Liquorice 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 20.28:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 1.04:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Best text color on a Liquorice background: #ffffff
Palettes featuring Liquorice
Liquorice with its complement
Soft neighbors of Liquorice
Liquorice triad
Similar colors
- Blackout#0E0702 · ΔE 1.1
- Black Metal#060606 · ΔE 2.0
- Balsamico#130D07 · ΔE 2.0
- Raven#0B0B0B · ΔE 2.2
- Black#000000 · ΔE 2.2
- Asphalt#130A06 · ΔE 2.4
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Liquorice is closest to Eight Ball.
Liquorice FAQs
What color is Liquorice?
Liquorice is a dark black with the hex code #0A0502. In HSL terms it has a hue of 23°, 67% saturation, and 2% lightness.
What is the hex code for Liquorice?
The hex code for Liquorice is #0A0502. In RGB it's rgb(10, 5, 2), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 50%, 80%, 96%).
What colors go well with Liquorice?
Liquorice pairs naturally with black tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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