Color swatch image showing #353838 with RGB(53,56,56) values

#353838 Color Meaning and Information

Everything you need to know about #353838 including values, color harmonies, shades, meanings, and applications in design, branding, and everyday visuals.

#353838 Color Information

#353838 RGB value is (53, 56, 56). The hex color red value is 53, green is 56, and blue is 56. Its HSL format shows a hue of 180°, saturation of 3 percent, and lightness of 21 percent. The CMYK process values are 5 percent, 0 percent, 0 percent, 78 percent.

#353838
rgb(53, 56, 56)
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#353838 Color Meaning

Color #353838 deepens the void with texture. Unlike jet black, #353838 warm charcoal carries graphite and iron undertones—suggesting forged metal, not absence. Color #353838 conveys precision, luxury, and modern minimalism, especially in automotive, audio tech, and high-end typography where depth matters more than drama. In OLED and HDR displays, color #353838 preserves shadow detail better than true black, enhancing dimensionality in dark-mode interfaces. Its subtle warmth prevents the “flat” effect of cool grays, making text and icons feel more tactile. Designers choose #353838 when they want authority without coldness. Historically, #353838 stone was carved for seals and cameos—objects of identity and permanence. Today, color #353838 echoes that legacy in branding that values legacy over trend. #353838’s never loud, but always present—like a well-tuned engine or a perfectly weighted pen.

Convert #353838 across different color models and formats. These conversions help designers work seamlessly between digital and print media, ensuring this color maintains its intended appearance across RGB screens, CMYK printers, and HSL color manipulations.

HEX
#353838
RGB
rgb(53, 56, 56)
HSL
hsl(180°, 3%, 21%)
CMYK
cmyk(5%, 0%, 0%, 78%)
HSV
hsv(180°, 5%, 22%)
XYZ
3.5962 3.8708 4.2990
Yxy
3.8708 0.3056 0.3290
Hunter Lab
19.6743 -0.0152 -0.0049
CIE-Lab
23.2395 -1.2793 -0.4485

RGB Values

Red53 / 255 (21%)
21%
Green56 / 255 (22%)
22%
Blue56 / 255 (22%)
22%

CMYK Values

Cyan5 / 100 (5%)
Magenta0 / 100 (0%)
Yellow0 / 100 (0%)
Key (Black)78 / 100 (78%)
78%

#353838 harmonies come to life through carefully balanced shades, tints, and tones, giving this color depth and flexibility across light and dark variations. Shades add richness, tints bring an airy softness, and tones soften intensity, making it easy to pair in clean, modern palettes.

#353838 harmonies create beautiful relationships with other colors based on their position on the color wheel. Each harmony type offers unique design possibilities, enabling cohesive and visually appealing color schemes.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the color wheel (30° apart)

Complementary

Colors opposite on the color wheel (180° apart)

Split Complementary

Three colors using one base hue and the two hues beside its opposite

Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced (120° apart)

Tetradic

Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel

Square

Four colors evenly spaced (90° apart)

Double Split

Four colors formed from two base hues and the colors next to their opposites

Monochromatic

Variations of a single hue

(WCAG 2.1) Test #353838 for accessibility compliance against white and black backgrounds. Proper contrast ensures this color remains readable and usable for all audiences, meeting WCAG 2.1 standards for both normal and large text applications.

#FFFFFF
#353838

Sample Text

This is how your text will look with these colors.

Large Text (18pt+)

11.84:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

Normal Text

11.84:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

UI Components

11.84:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

See how #353838 appears to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. These simulations help create more inclusive designs that consider how this color is perceived across various visual abilities.

Normal Vision

#353838

protanopia

#363638

Note: These simulations are approximations. Actual color vision deficiency varies by individual.

Background Color

background-color: #353838;

Text Color

color: #353838;

Sample Text

Border Color

border: 2px solid #353838;

Box Shadow

box-shadow: 0 4px 6px #35383840;

Text Shadow

text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px #353838;

Sample Text

Gradient

background: linear-gradient(135deg, #353838 0%, #222424 100%);

#353838 Color FAQs

Frequently asked questions about #353838 color meaning, symbolism, and applications. Click on any question to expand detailed answers.