Steam
Also known as: Kingly Cloud , Gainsboro , Athens Grey , Silver Lake
Steam is a pale, muted gray that reads as balanced and versatile. It earns its place in editorial layouts and neutral backgrounds. Match it with gray accents when the design calls for energy over calm. Accessibility-wise, it needs a dark backdrop: 15.46:1 on black clears AA.
Reference
Steam color codes
- HEX
- #DDDDDD
- RGB
- rgb(221, 221, 221)
- RGBA
- rgba(221, 221, 221, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(0, 0%, 87%)
- HSV
- hsv(0, 0%, 87%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 13%)
- LAB
- lab(88.1 0.0 0.0)
- OKLCH
- oklch(89.8% 0.000 0.0)
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 warm
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: gainsboro #DCDCDC · ΔE 0.2
- RAL 7047: Telegrey 4 #CFD0CF · ΔE 3.2 · 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 Steam works
- Web & UI: Too light for text, ideal as a background wash that keeps a page from feeling sterile.
- Interiors: Wall-to-wall safe: it behaves like a white with personality, especially in north-facing rooms.
- Fashion: Works as a base layer or outerwear tone that lets brighter pieces do the talking.
- Branding: As a brand anchor it reads established and tactile; pair with a single vivid accent for energy.
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Interiors: Muted enough to paint all four walls; sample it in both daylight and evening light before committing.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Steam
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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 Steam 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 1.36:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 15.46:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Steam background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Steam
Steam with its complement
Soft neighbors of Steam
Steam triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Chrome #E1DFE1 · ΔE 1.8
- Platinum #E5E4E2 · ΔE 1.9
- Salt-N-Pepa #DCD9DB · ΔE 2.2
- Ghosted #E2E0DC · ΔE 2.2
- Placebo #E7E7E7 · ΔE 2.2
- Pinball #D3D3D3 · ΔE 2.3
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Steam is closest to Chrome .
FAQ
Steam FAQs
What color is Steam?
Steam is a light gray with the hex code #DDDDDD. In HSL terms it has a hue of 0°, 0% saturation, and 87% lightness.
What is the hex code for Steam?
The hex code for Steam is #DDDDDD. In RGB it's rgb(221, 221, 221), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 13%).
What colors go well with Steam?
Steam pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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