Dark Gray / Dark Grey

Color family: Neutral
Recommended foreground: #000000

Calculated profile

What the numbers say

At 0° hue, Dark Gray / Dark Grey is a near-neutral, light, achromatic sRGB color. Its relative luminance is 39.68%. For text on this background, #000000 produces the stronger contrast at 8.94:1.

HSL lightness: 66%
HSL saturation: 0%
Relative luminance: 39.68%
Hue group: achromatic

Copy-ready color formats

Equivalent CSS notations calculated from the same six-digit sRGB value, including perceptual OKLCH.

Text contrast against this color

Ratios use WCAG relative luminance. Passing a ratio does not by itself certify an interface.

White text2.35:1

AA normal text: Fail
AA large text: Fail
AAA normal text: Fail
AAA large text: Fail

Black text8.94:1

AA normal text: Pass
AA large text: Pass
AAA normal text: Pass
AAA large text: Pass

Continue in the contrast labCheck #A9A9A9 against another colorOpen the full WCAG pair checker with this color and its strongest black-or-white foreground already filled in.

Calculated tints and shades

Tints mix the color with white; shades mix it with black in sRGB.

Tints

Shades

Hue-wheel relationships

These colors keep the original HSL saturation and lightness while rotating hue. They are mathematical starting points, not automatic design recommendations.

Opacity variants

Eight-digit HEX and modern rgb() alpha syntax for the same opacity.

20%

40%

60%

80%

CSS starter

A small custom-property block using the calculated foreground with the stronger black-or-white contrast.

--color-darkgray: #A9A9A9;
--color-darkgray-rgb: 169 169 169;
--color-darkgray-hsl: 0 0% 66%;
--color-darkgray-oklch: oklch(73.5% 0.0000 0);
color: #000000;
background-color: var(--color-darkgray);

Community review

Suggest a correction

Correction for Dark Gray / Dark Grey#A9A9A9

Found an inaccurate name, explanation, source, or accessibility detail? Send a concise correction for editorial review.

08 / Verification

Where the values come from

The color name and HEX value are checked against the cited standard. RGB, HSL, HWB, luminance, and contrast are then calculated from that HEX value using published formulas.

Source for the name and HEX: W3C CSS Color 4 named colors
License: W3C document license
Version: CSS Color Module Level 4

Continue with the complete versioned collectionBrowse CSS named colors

Continue with a method

Put this color in context

Use these reviewed guides to move from a single value to accessible, reproducible interface decisions.

9 min read Choosing link colors that remain distinguishableRead guide → 10 min read Button colors: text, fill, border, hover, and focusRead guide → 12 min read How to choose a readable text color for any backgroundRead guide →