Midnight Moss
General Information
The color #010808, known as Midnight Moss, is a very dark shade of green-black. It sits at the extreme low end of the luminance spectrum, making it appear almost entirely black to the human eye. In the RGB color model, it consists of 0.4% red, 3.1% green, and 3.1% blue. This composition explains its slight greenish undertone despite its overall darkness. Midnight Moss can evoke feelings of depth, mystery, and understated elegance. It is not a commonly used color due to its challenges in accessibility and readability, but it can be effective in niche applications where a subtle, near-black hue is desired. Its hexadecimal code makes it easily definable in digital design, yet its practical applications require careful consideration to ensure usability.
The hex color #010808, also known as Midnight Moss, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its extremely low luminance. With such a dark shade, it offers very little contrast against similarly dark backgrounds, making text and other visual elements nearly impossible to discern for users with visual impairments. Web developers should avoid using this color for primary text or interactive elements. If it is used as a background, ensure that any foreground elements have a very bright color with a high contrast ratio, ideally exceeding the WCAG AA standards of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Providing alternative high-contrast themes is also crucial to accommodate users with different visual needs, ensuring inclusivity and usability of the website or application. Careful consideration and testing are necessary to mitigate accessibility issues associated with this dark color.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #0a1212
A slightly lighter shade of green that provides better contrast while maintaining a dark aesthetic.
- #121212
A dark gray that offers a more neutral background option with better readability for light-colored text.
- #36413c
A dark olive color that introduces some additional color while providing acceptable contrast for most foreground elements.
Applications
Web Design Accents
In web design, Midnight Moss (#010808) can be used sparingly for background accents or dividers to add depth without overwhelming the user interface. Due to its dark nature, it is best paired with light, contrasting text and elements to ensure readability and accessibility. It can also be employed in dark themes where a subtle, near-black background is desired to reduce eye strain. However, it should not be used for primary interactive elements or large blocks of text, as it can be difficult to read. Thoughtful application is key to leveraging its aesthetic appeal without compromising usability.
Interior Design Accents
In interior design, Midnight Moss can serve as a sophisticated accent color. It's deep, mossy hue can bring a touch of nature indoors when used on small furniture items or for wall paint in small areas. Because it is a very dark color, it's best to use it in well lit spaces or to pair it with contrasting brighter and lighter elements to balance the room. Use it as a calming influence in areas of the house where you want to reduce the energy.
Fashion
In fashion, #010808 can be utilized as a grounding color. Think dark handbags, skirts or leggings. The color gives a feeling of sophistication. The darkness of the color is well suited to use for smart-casual or elegant occasions. It pairs well with more bright, light or warm colors such as beige or white. But it also works great with more saturated, warm colors such as yellow, orange and red. Accessories can really 'pop' when paired with a dark background.