Obsidian
Also known as: High Salute , Descent Into the Catacombs , Country Sky , Vermont Slate
Obsidian is a rich, muted cyan that reads as cool and clear. It earns its place in water themes and healthcare apps. For contrast, pair it with a brown from its complementary palette below. On white it reads clearly at 8.32:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Obsidian color codes
- HEX
- #445055
- RGB
- rgb(68, 80, 85)
- RGBA
- rgba(68, 80, 85, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(198, 11%, 30%)
- HSV
- hsv(198, 20%, 33%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(20%, 6%, 0%, 67%)
- LAB
- lab(33.1 -4.0 -4.6)
- OKLCH
- oklch(42.3% 0.017 224.9)
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 blue 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: darkslategray #2F4F4F · ΔE 8.5
- RAL 7026: Granite grey #374447 · ΔE 4.4 · 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 Obsidian 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: a 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 for dividers, chart series, and 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
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Obsidian
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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 Obsidian 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 8.32:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 2.52:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Obsidian background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Obsidian
Obsidian with its complement
Soft neighbors of Obsidian
Obsidian triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Dead Forest #434B4F · ΔE 2.3
- Trout #4C5356 · ΔE 2.6
- Dark Space #414A4C · ΔE 2.6
- Lights Out #3D474B · ΔE 3.1
- Nightfall #43535E · ΔE 3.2
- Witchcraft #474C50 · ΔE 3.4
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Obsidian is closest to Molasses .
FAQ
Obsidian FAQs
What color is Obsidian?
Obsidian is a dark cyan with the hex code #445055. In HSL terms it has a hue of 198°, 11% saturation, and 30% lightness.
What is the hex code for Obsidian?
The hex code for Obsidian is #445055. In RGB it's rgb(68, 80, 85), and in CMYK it's cmyk(20%, 6%, 0%, 67%).
What colors go well with Obsidian?
Obsidian pairs naturally with brown tones from its complementary harmony, and with gray accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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