Blue Charcoal
General Information
The hex color #031217, commonly referred to as Blue Charcoal, is a very dark shade of blue, almost appearing black to the untrained eye. It resides at the lower end of the color spectrum in terms of lightness and is characterized by minimal saturation. Its RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values are R:3, G:18, B:23, indicating a slight dominance of blue over red and green, although all three values are very low. In the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color model, it translates to C:87, M:22, Y:0, K:91, meaning it requires a high percentage of black ink to reproduce accurately in print. Blue Charcoal evokes a sense of sophistication, mystery, and depth.
The hex color #031217, also known as Blue Charcoal, presents several accessibility challenges. Its extremely low luminance value of 0.004 makes it difficult to read when used as text against a white background. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to meet AA compliance. #031217 falls far short of these requirements. To improve accessibility, it's crucial to pair this color with much lighter hues that provide sufficient contrast. Using it for purely decorative elements, where legibility is not a concern, is a more appropriate application. When used for interactive elements like buttons, clear visual cues beyond just color should be provided to ensure usability for users with visual impairments.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Design
Blue Charcoal's sophisticated and muted tone makes it suitable for website backgrounds or navigation bars in designs aiming for a professional or corporate look. Its darkness evokes feelings of trust and stability. However, due to its poor accessibility it should not be used as text. Consider using a very light accent color to make the design more interesting and accessible. It's an excellent choice for companies in the finance, legal, or technology sectors, but must be carefully implemented.
Interior Design
In interior design, #031217 can be applied as a wall color in studies or home theaters to create a cozy and enveloping atmosphere. It works best in rooms with ample natural light or strategically placed artificial lighting, because it is so dark. Use it as a grounding element combined with lighter, warmer colors for furniture and accessories to prevent the space from feeling too somber. Add textures like wood and velvet to enrich the overall experience.
Fashion
In fashion, Blue Charcoal can be used as the base color in outfits for a understated, sleek look. It can be used in business clothing or even as a dress for a night out. This color can be combined with metallics, such as silver or gold, in accessories to add a touch of glamour and elegance, or paired with lighter colors to create a balanced and visually appealing ensemble. This would be especially effective for evening wear or cocktail attire.