#333333
- RGB
- 51, 51, 51
- Brightness
- 51.0
- HSL (°,%,%)
- 0°, 0%, 20%
- HSV V %
- 20%
- Lab
- 21.2, 0.0, 0.0
- CMYK (%)
- 0%, 0%, 0%, 80%
- PNG size
- 4.1 KB
- Tone / Feel
- very dark, muted warm hue
Recommended text: White (12.63:1 — AAA / AAA)
Color Profile: #333333
Common Name: Charcoal Grey
RGB: 51, 51, 51
HSL: 0°, 0%, ~20%
Hex: #333333
Contrast vs White: 12.6:1 — Passes AA & AAA
Contrast vs Black: 1.1:1 — Fails AA
Mood & Aesthetic:
Understated and clean, #333333 is the unofficial king of "dark mode" palettes. A go-to for serious UI/UX, it brings depth without diving fully into black. Its neutrality makes it a strong anchor across modern digital design and minimalist print work.
Close Named Matches:
- Exact Hit: Tiger Drylac 038/60090 Dark Anodized Bronze — #333233 (ΔE=0.89)
- Exact Hit: Behr PFC-75 Tar Black — #313233 (ΔE=0.97)
- Exact Hit: Pantone P 179-15 C — #333133 (ΔE=1.78)
- Sikkens 4041 On.00.15 — #333131 (ΔE=1.18)
- Little Greene LG 228 - Lamp Black — #2E2D2E (ΔE=2.77)
• Why Designers Use It.
#333333 is a staple in modern interface and digital design — especially where soft contrast is needed without sacrificing accessibility. It's the silent hero of typography-heavy layouts, used frequently in UI frameworks, documentation, and code editors (hello GitHub dark mode). While it may not scream for attention, it helps everything else stand out — a true supporting actor. Its neutral tone plays well with both color-rich and grayscale schemes, making it a popular pick in mobile OS theming, terminal UIs, smart TV interfaces, and even architecture presentations.
This color also holds a legacy in printing, originating as a mid-tone for proofs and greyscale adjustments. In branding, it signals professionalism, elegance, and restraint — popular with fintech, editorial sites, and serious portfolio layouts. It's not tied to any specific region but has been globally adopted thanks to its prominence in frameworks and CSS defaults (it's literally baked into many reset stylesheets).
While not a match to any mineral or nature form directly, it mimics deep carbon shades seen in volcanic basalt and high-charcoal ink. It's also a common base in powder coatings, anodized finishes, and dark plastics — useful in electronics, auto interiors, and professional gear where reflective blacks are undesirable. In short: designers really do use it. A lot.