Cod Gray
General Information
The hexadecimal color code #030A0C, often referred to as 'Cod Gray', represents a very dark shade of gray that is nearly black. It is composed of 1.18% red, 3.92% green, and 4.71% blue. This color sits at the very low end of the luminance spectrum, making it a challenging color to use effectively due to its poor visibility and contrast. Its primary purpose often lies in creating subtle shadows, accents, or providing depth within a design where a nearly imperceptible shift from absolute black is desired. In contexts where clarity and readability are paramount, #030A0C requires careful consideration and strategic pairing with significantly lighter colors to ensure accessibility and visual comfort.
The hex color #030A0C, also known as Cod Gray, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in text-based contexts. Its extremely low luminance results in very poor contrast against almost any background. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast is essential for readability and usability, particularly for users with visual impairments. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text. #030A0C falls far short of these recommendations, making it unsuitable for foreground text on light backgrounds or vice versa. To improve accessibility, consider lightening this color significantly or pairing it with a much lighter color to ensure adequate contrast. Using tools to check contrast ratios during the design process is vital for inclusive design.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #222b2e
A slightly lighter shade of gray that provides better contrast while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
- #343a40
A dark blue-gray that offers a subtle color variation with improved visibility.
- #2f4f4f
This color is a dark grey with a hint of green, and is an excellent alternative to #030A0C since it is more visible and can be used as secondary background color.
Applications
Web Design Accents
In web design, #030A0C can be used sparingly for subtle background accents or as a very dark shade in a broader color palette. However, it should never be used for text or interactive elements without ensuring extremely high contrast with the background. It may find use in minimalist designs or as a supporting color in data visualizations where a very dark tone is required. Use cases could involve sophisticated dashboards or data-heavy web applications. Always prioritize accessibility by using color contrast analyzers to confirm WCAG compliance when using very dark colors like #030A0C.
Interior Design
In interior design, #030A0C can be applied as a deep, grounding tone for walls in a modern or minimalist space. It works best in rooms with ample natural light to prevent the space from feeling too closed in. When combined with lighter, contrasting elements like white or cream-colored furniture and accessories, it can create a sophisticated, high-contrast aesthetic. This color could also be used for smaller details like door frames or baseboards to add depth to a room's design, or even as a color for a modern style fireplace.
Fashion Design
This color is very difficult to use in fashion because of its lack of visibility. However, it can be used as a background color in a logo, or as part of a leather jacket for the zipper.