Liquorice
Also known as: Blackout , Smoky Black , Pupil , Stout
As a deep take on black, Liquorice carries bold and timeless energy that suits 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.
Reference
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)
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 warm
subtle orange 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: 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, and empty-state illustrations, but not text.
- Fashion: Wears best as the statement piece, a top, scarf, or shoes, against neutral basics.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Liquorice
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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 Liquorice 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 20.28:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 1.04:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Liquorice background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Liquorice
Liquorice with its complement
Soft neighbors of Liquorice
Liquorice triad
Explore
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 .
FAQ
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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