Ebony
General Information about Ebony (#120821)
The hex color code #120821 represents a very dark shade of purple, often described as Ebony. It belongs to the family of black and near-black colors, characterized by its low RGB values: Red 18, Green 8, and Blue 33. This color is perceived as sophisticated, mysterious, and somber. In color theory, it lacks vibrancy and is considered a cool color due to the dominance of blue hues. The hexadecimal system offers a compact and precise way to define colors in digital applications, making #120821 easily reproducible across various platforms and devices. Its main use is for dark backgrounds.
The hex color #120821, also known as Ebony, presents significant accessibility challenges. Its extremely low luminance value of 1.24 makes it unsuitable as a text color on a white background, failing WCAG's AAA and AA standards for contrast ratio. To ensure readability, it's crucial to pair this color with much lighter shades. White or very light gray would be appropriate text colors. Using #120821 for interactive elements like buttons or links is also strongly discouraged unless accompanied by clear visual cues and sufficient contrast when hovered or focused. Developers must prioritize accessibility by carefully selecting foreground and background color combinations to meet contrast requirements and provide a usable experience for individuals with visual impairments. Tools like contrast checkers should be used to verify compliance with accessibility guidelines.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #222222
A slightly lighter shade of gray, this alternative provides better contrast while maintaining a similar dark aesthetic.
- #1e272c
A very dark blue that offers a subtle variation while still being easy on the eyes when paired with lighter elements.
- #2f2d3d
A dark purple with slightly more brightness, allowing it to be used as a background with white text.
Applications
Website Design
Ebony (#120821) can be used in website design as a background for hero sections or footers, particularly when aiming for a sophisticated and mysterious aesthetic. When used as a background, it is important to incorporate lighter text and graphical elements to ensure proper readability and visual balance. Furthermore, it can be incorporated into a modern dark themed website. It can also be used for UI elements like sidebars and navigation menus, creating a sleek and professional look. It should be combined with bright accent colors to draw attention to important elements and create visual interest.
Fashion
In the realm of fashion, Ebony (#120821) translates to elegant evening wear, luxurious outerwear, or subtle accents in accessories like handbags or belts. It can convey a sense of understated opulence, often used in minimalist designs that highlight texture and form. It may also be applied as an accent color for shoes. It also works exceptionally well when paired with metallic colors such as gold and silver, which adds another layer of depth. This color is timeless and will always be in fashion.
Interior Design
Ebony (#120821) can be used as an accent color in interior design. It could be used in small amounts for furniture, walls, or frames. Because it is a dark color, it is important to also use brighter colors to balance it out. It could also be applied to modern and contemporary kitchens as a base color to create a luxurious and dramatic look. Ebony combined with stainless steel can produce a sleek and clean design.