#AAADAB

Color Profile: #AAADAB

Common Name: Lightbox Grey

RGB: 170, 173, 171
HSL: ~120°, ~2%, ~67%

Contrast Ratio vs White: 2.9:1 – Fail (AA)
Contrast Ratio vs Black: 9.2:1 – Pass (AA/AAA)

Color Mood:
#AAADAB belongs to that refined family of midtone greys that live on the edge of stillness. It suggests overcast skies, old cameras, and architectural plans – solid, emotionless, deliberate. Used correctly, it creates a hush, a neutral buffer, a background that listens more than it speaks.

Close Matches & Brand References:

• Tikkurila – Granite (#AAADAB) (Exact match, ΔE=0.00)
• Kelly Moore – Geoduck Clam (#A9ABAA) (ΔE=0.92)
• Trumatch 21-g7 (#A8ADAC) (ΔE=0.92)
• AS2700 – Lightbox Grey (#AAABAA) (ΔE=1.09)
• Pantone FHI – 14-5002 TPG Silver (#AAABA8) (ΔE=1.11)

• Why Designers Use It.
  #AAADAB walks the line between warm and cool, rendering it a go-to for interface and product designers aiming for a soft, unsaturated base without sliding into clinical sterility. Its neutrality makes it ideal for UX components, wireframes, background surfaces, and mockups where content should pop but the container shouldn’t shout.
  
  In interior design, it’s favored in commercial lobbies, gallery walls, and open-plan studios – spaces that require ambient light diffusion without skewing color perception. This grey shows up in both Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism, reflecting the cross-cultural pursuit of quietude.
  
  On the industrial side, it mirrors tones found in metal finishes, old machinery, and recycled aluminium, making it popular in hardware design, automotive interiors, and even military-grade coatings (Camouflage Grey and AMS 36463 are adjacent).
  
  Its rise in modern UI palettes is partly due to accessibility: it provides a comfortable contrast with bright UI elements while passing WCAG thresholds when layered properly. Practical and elegant, with just enough personality to remain memorable – that’s #AAADAB.