Metal
Also known as: Quiet Time , Silver Tipped Sage , Rock Solid , Bay Waves
With its neutral undertone, Metal (#BABFBC) comes across as balanced and versatile. Designers reach for it in architecture and editorial layouts. Metal plays well with gray tones. The harmonies below show which ones. Accessibility-wise, it needs a dark backdrop: 11.27:1 on black clears AA.
Reference
Metal color codes
- HEX
- #BABFBC
- RGB
- rgb(186, 191, 188)
- RGBA
- rgba(186, 191, 188, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(144, 4%, 74%)
- HSV
- hsv(144, 3%, 75%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(3%, 0%, 2%, 25%)
- LAB
- lab(76.9 -2.2 0.9)
- OKLCH
- oklch(80.0% 0.007 160.0)
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 green 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: silver #C0C0C0 · ΔE 3.3
- RAL 7038: Agate grey #B4B8B0 · ΔE 3.1 · 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 Metal works
- Web & UI: A supporting-cast color for UI: chart fills, tags, and empty-state illustrations, but not text.
- Interiors: Soft and low-saturation: a candidate for full walls, where vivid colors overwhelm.
- 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.
- Interiors: Strong for a whole room, excellent in doses: an accent wall, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
- 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 Metal
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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 Metal 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 1.86:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 11.27:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Metal background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Metal
Metal with its complement
Soft neighbors of Metal
Metal triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Waxwing #C0C2C0 · ΔE 1.9
- Greystone #B7B9B5 · ΔE 2.0
- Foil #C0C3C4 · ΔE 2.9
- Magnetic #B2B5AF · ΔE 3.1
- Brume #C6C6C2 · ΔE 3.2
- Silver #C0C0C0 · ΔE 3.3
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Metal is closest to Ghost .
FAQ
Metal FAQs
What color is Metal?
Metal is a light gray with the hex code #BABFBC. In HSL terms it has a hue of 144°, 4% saturation, and 74% lightness.
What is the hex code for Metal?
The hex code for Metal is #BABFBC. In RGB it's rgb(186, 191, 188), and in CMYK it's cmyk(3%, 0%, 2%, 25%).
What colors go well with Metal?
Metal pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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