Asphalt
General Information about Asphalt
The hex color #150706, also known as Asphalt, is a very dark, almost black, shade of brown. It resides in the brown color family, but its darkness places it very close to black on the color spectrum. The color is composed of 8.24% red, 2.75% green, and 2.35% blue. In the RGB color model, this translates to R:21, G:7, B:6. Because all three values are very low, the color has a very low lightness value, contributing to its dark appearance. It can evoke feelings of sophistication, mystery, and understated elegance, similar to black, but with a slightly softer, more natural touch. The Asphalt color can be perceived as strong, and solid.
The color #150706, also known as Asphalt, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly in web design. Its extremely low lightness value (very dark) results in poor contrast against typical light backgrounds. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast is crucial for readability and usability, especially for users with visual impairments. Text or interactive elements using #150706 on a white or light-colored background would likely fail accessibility tests. To improve accessibility, consider using a much lighter text color, such as white (#FFFFFF) or a very light gray, and even then, carefully evaluate the contrast ratio. Alternatively, using #150706 as a background color requires extremely light foreground elements to ensure sufficient contrast. Tools are available online to calculate contrast ratios and verify compliance with accessibility standards, and should be utilized when using very dark or very light colors. Because it is so dark, it can have a very limited use case.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #292929
A slightly lighter shade of gray, offering improved visibility while maintaining a similar aesthetic.
- #2b1900
A dark brown that provides a touch more warmth and contrast than Asphalt.
- #1e232c
A dark gray with a hint of blue, which can provide a slightly more modern feel while still being a dark color.
Applications
Website Background
Asphalt can be used as a background for websites with a minimalist design, especially when highlighting content with bright, contrasting colors. When used as a background, make sure the text displayed on top of the color is easily readable. Ensure that the text color is white or a very light shade of grey. Also, make sure to test your color choices with a color contrast checker.
Fashion Accent
In fashion, Asphalt can serve as a grounding neutral for bolder accent colors. It could be used in clothing, accessories, or even footwear. It would be most successful when used as a contrast to brighter, more vibrant colours. It also works well as a colour in a monochromatic design.
Interior Design Accent
Asphalt can create a sophisticated and moody ambiance in interior design when used sparingly. This color works well for accent walls, furniture upholstery, or decorative elements. Pair it with warm lighting and natural textures to balance its coolness and depth.