Charcoal #36454F
Charcoal is a very dark gray with a cool blue-green tint, hex #36454F. It is low in saturation and just light enough to separate from black. Named after burnt wood, it suggests drawing charcoal, slate roofs, wet asphalt and sharp tailoring, and it often stands in for black in modern design.
There is no CSS charcoal keyword. #36454F is a widely used value with a blue cast; some brands use a more neutral dark gray under the same name.
| HEX | #36454F | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(54, 69, 79) | |
| HSL | hsl(204, 19%, 26%) | |
| HSV | hsv(204, 32%, 31%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(32%, 13%, 0%, 69%) |
Text on Charcoal
White text reads better on Charcoal. Ratios use the WCAG 2 formula: 4.5:1 passes AA for body text, 3:1 passes for large text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Colors that go with Charcoal
Charcoal tints and shades
Tints mix Charcoal with white, shades mix it with black, in 15% steps. Copy any code, or open the tint and shade generator for a full scale.
Tints
Shades
Charcoal color schemes
Color-wheel harmonies built by rotating the hue of #36454F and keeping its saturation and lightness.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split complementary
Tetradic
Charcoal color meaning
Charcoal is named after the black residue of burnt wood, used for fuel and as one of the oldest drawing materials. The color keeps a little of that craft and smoky character. Artists value it for rich, smudgy blacks and soft gradations, and the color name inherits some of that expressive quality.
It reads as serious, strong and professional, but less severe than black. That balance is why charcoal suits are a business staple and why so many brands use charcoal for text and logos.
Its blue tint gives it a cool, composed feel. People connect it with cities, storms and stone, and with a modern, understated kind of style. In architecture it has become a popular choice for exterior trim, front doors and window frames.
How to use Charcoal in design
Charcoal is one of the best choices for body text on white or off-white pages, since it looks softer than black while staying highly readable. As a background, it carries white and light gray text well and makes a strong base for dark modes. Bright accents like coral, mustard or teal stand out sharply against it.
In interiors, charcoal walls, sofas and kitchen cabinets look dramatic but grounded. In fashion it is a versatile neutral for suits, coats and knitwear.
Palettes with Charcoal tones
Curated palettes with a color close to #36454F.
Colors similar to Charcoal
Work with Charcoal
Charcoal FAQ
What is the difference between charcoal and black?
Black (#000000) has no light at all. Charcoal (#36454F) is a very dark gray with a blue tint, so it looks slightly softer and shows more texture. For text and large surfaces, charcoal often feels less harsh than pure black while still reading as dark.
Is charcoal gray warm or cool?
The common charcoal value #36454F is cool, thanks to its blue-green tint. Some paint and fabric charcoals lean warmer, with brown in them. If you want charcoal to feel warmer, pair it with creams, wood tones and terracotta. In clothing, both versions pair easily with camel and gray.