Quicksand
Also known as: Silent Sands , Adolescent Rodent , Mocha Tan , Chocolate Cream Pie
Part of the orange family, Quicksand pairs a soft base with a warm and inviting presence. It belongs in autumn palettes and friendly UI accents. For contrast, pair it with a blue from its complementary palette below. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (7.58:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Reference
Quicksand color codes
- HEX
- #AC9884
- RGB
- rgb(172, 152, 132)
- RGBA
- rgba(172, 152, 132, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(30, 19%, 60%)
- HSV
- hsv(30, 23%, 67%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 12%, 23%, 33%)
- LAB
- lab(64.2 5.3 13.4)
- OKLCH
- oklch(69.2% 0.037 67.1)
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: tan #D2B48C · ΔE 10.5
- RAL 1019: Grey beige #A48F7A · 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 Quicksand 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: A secondary brand color by nature: it supports a stronger primary and shines in illustration.
- 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 Quicksand
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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 Quicksand 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 2.77:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 7.58:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Quicksand background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Quicksand
Quicksand with its complement
Soft neighbors of Quicksand
Quicksand triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Saddle Up #AB927A · ΔE 2.7
- Incense #AF9A7E · ΔE 3.1
- Sombrero #B39C8C · ΔE 3.1
- Hickory #B7A28E · ΔE 3.1
- Shiitake #A5988A · ΔE 3.2
- Sesame #BAA38B · ΔE 3.8
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Quicksand is closest to Blank Stare .
FAQ
Quicksand FAQs
What color is Quicksand?
Quicksand is a medium orange with the hex code #AC9884. In HSL terms it has a hue of 30°, 19% saturation, and 60% lightness.
What is the hex code for Quicksand?
The hex code for Quicksand is #AC9884. In RGB it's rgb(172, 152, 132), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 12%, 23%, 33%).
What colors go well with Quicksand?
Quicksand pairs naturally with blue tones from its complementary harmony, and with cyan accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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