Blue Charcoal
General Information about #040D17
The hex color #040D17, also known as Blue Charcoal, is a very dark shade of blue with a hint of green, often described as a deep, muted, and sophisticated color. It resides in the cool color family. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 1.57% red, 5.1% green, and 8.63% blue. In the CMYK color model, it consists of 81.74% cyan, 40.74% magenta, 0% yellow, and 91.37% black. This color is frequently used in designs that require a sense of depth, elegance, or mystery. Blue Charcoal is often associated with qualities such as calmness, sophistication, and professionalism. It is a versatile color that can be used as a background to make brighter colors pop or as a subtle accent to create a sense of depth and visual interest. It's a popular choice for designs aiming for a modern and understated look.
The hex color #040D17, also known as Blue Charcoal, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly concerning color contrast. When used as a foreground color for text or interactive elements, it requires careful pairing with a very light background to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. 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. Given its dark nature, #040D17 will likely fail these contrast checks against many common background colors. Therefore, designers and developers should conduct thorough contrast testing using tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker or similar resources before implementing this color in user interfaces. Consider using lighter shades or tints of complementary colors for better accessibility. Ensuring sufficient contrast is crucial for users with visual impairments and contributes to a more inclusive user experience.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #1e272e
A slightly lighter shade that provides better contrast while maintaining a similar dark and muted aesthetic.
- #333333
A dark grey with slightly more neutrality, which can be easier to pair with other colors and provides better readability.
- #141e28
Offers a higher degree of visibility and compliance with accessibility standards due to increased lightness.
Applications
Web Design and UI
Blue Charcoal's sophisticated and mysterious nature makes it an excellent choice for websites or applications aiming for a sleek, modern, and professional appearance. It can be used for backgrounds in website headers, footers, or sidebars, creating a sense of depth and visual interest. In user interfaces, it can serve as a subtle background for panels or cards, allowing content to stand out while maintaining a cohesive and elegant design. It works exceptionally well in dark mode interfaces, providing a comfortable viewing experience while exuding a sense of style and sophistication.
Interior Design
In interior design, Blue Charcoal evokes a sense of tranquility and sophistication, making it a popular choice for accent walls or furniture pieces in bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices. It pairs well with warm metallics like gold or copper, as well as natural materials like wood and leather, creating a balanced and inviting atmosphere. Its deep, muted tone can also be used to create a dramatic and luxurious effect, particularly when combined with soft lighting and plush textures. Furthermore it can be used for exterior elements, such as front doors, shutters or even as the main color theme for your house.
Fashion
Blue Charcoal's calming and sophisticated nature extends to the realm of fashion, where it appears in elegant evening wear, tailored suits, and stylish outerwear. Its dark and muted tone makes it a versatile neutral that can be easily paired with a wide range of colors and patterns. It can be used as a base color for creating a polished and professional look or as an accent color for adding a touch of sophistication to a casual outfit. The color works also well with accessoiries like scarfs or gloves.