Diesel
General Information about #140004
The hex color code #140004, often referred to as "Diesel," is a very dark, muted shade of red. It belongs to the family of dark red hues and exhibits a strong bias towards the red color spectrum, with minimal contributions from green or blue. Due to its deep and desaturated nature, it evokes a sense of mystery, sophistication, and subdued elegance. This color is often associated with luxury, intimacy, and subtle power. Its usage in design can create a rich, deep ambiance, although care must be taken to ensure sufficient contrast with lighter elements to maintain readability and visual accessibility. The color's hex code signifies its composition: '14' represents a small amount of red, while '00' indicates the absence of green and blue.
The hex color #140004, also known as Diesel, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its extremely dark nature. Its very low luminance makes it unsuitable for use as text on a white or light background, as the contrast would be far below the WCAG recommended ratios for readability. Specifically, both the contrast ratio against white and light shades are well below the minimum of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. To improve accessibility, it is advisable to avoid using #140004 for text elements. If it's necessary to incorporate this color into a design, it is recommended to use it sparingly for decorative elements and ensure that any accompanying text is light, ideally white (#FFFFFF) or a very light grey, to maximize contrast and ensure readability for users with visual impairments. Consider also alternative color combinations that enhance the contrast to meet accessibility standards, such as a light shade of yellow or orange.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter shade that provides better contrast while maintaining a similar dark and muted feel.
A dark reddish-brown that offers a more visible alternative while still being subtle.
While being of a completely different character, black could be a possible alternative to improve readability, contrast and accessibility.
Applications
Web Design Accent
In web design, #140004 can be used as a subtle background accent color, especially in sections where a dark and moody atmosphere is desired. It pairs well with lighter text and can create a sense of depth. Because of its dark characteristics, it should be used carefully and sparingly. When using it as a background, be sure that the color of the text on top is bright enough to guarantee the readability. Using this color as the text color is definitely not recommended because of the color's bad readability on bright backgrounds.
Interior Design Accent
In interior design, #140004 can be incorporated into spaces aiming for a sophisticated and intimate feel. Consider using it as an accent wall color in a dimly lit room, or for furniture pieces in a home theater. The subtle and dark color characteristics can contribute to a luxurious and cozy atmosphere. It is recommended to combine this color with bright and light objects, furniture and design to create a harmonic, but exciting contrast.
Fashion design
This dark shade can be a great fit for fashion design, especially for garments that need a discreet and elegant appearance. It can be used for dresses, coats or skirts, providing a classy and stylish look. Due to the dark characteristics, it is recommended to add bright and shiny jewelry or other colorful accessories to create a contrast between the dark dress and the shiny jewelry.