Black Russian
General Information
The hex color #170021, often called "Black Russian", is a very dark shade of purple, bordering on black. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 9.02% red, 0% green, and 13.92% blue. This composition explains the purplish undertone despite its overall darkness. In the CMYK color model, it consists of 35% cyan, 100% magenta, 0% yellow, and 86% black. Its darkness is represented by a low lightness value of approximately 0.008 in the HSL color space, with a hue of 264 degrees and a saturation of 100%. The name Black Russian may evoke imagery of darkness, luxury, and mystery, which can influence its usage in design and branding. Due to its darkness, it's crucial to consider accessibility guidelines when using this color, especially in contexts involving text or interactive elements.
The hex color #170021, often referred to as Black Russian, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in text-based applications. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 0.008 makes it nearly indistinguishable from true black. Consequently, using #170021 as a text color against a dark background (or vice versa) results in abysmal contrast ratios, failing to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for readability. To ensure accessibility, it's crucial to avoid using this color for text or interactive elements without employing a very light or bright contrasting color. A minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text is recommended. Using tools to verify contrast ratios is highly advised when incorporating such dark hues in design to avoid accessibility barriers for users with visual impairments. Consider using this color sparingly for purely decorative elements where readability is not a primary concern.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #28003f
A slightly lighter shade of purple that maintains the dark aesthetic but provides better contrast.
- #332940
A dark gray with a hint of purple can serve as a more accessible alternative for text.
- #1d002b
This color is a very dark shade of purple but is slightly lighter, which helps with some visibility.
Applications
Web Design
In web design, Black Russian (#170021) can be subtly incorporated to create a sense of depth and mystery in backgrounds. It's particularly effective when paired with lighter, contrasting colors for elements like headers, buttons, or icons to ensure readability and visual hierarchy. This color can also set a sophisticated and luxurious tone for websites targeting high-end products or services. However, accessibility should be paramount, and the color should be used judiciously to avoid compromising the user experience. Consider using it for accents or decorative elements rather than primary text or interactive components. For branding it can be used for companies related to high end or luxury goods.
Beauty and Fashion
In the beauty and fashion industry, Black Russian (#170021) translates into elegant and dramatic aesthetics. It can be used in eyeshadow palettes to create intense smoky eye looks, or as a deep, vampy shade for lipsticks and nail polishes. In fashion, this color can be found in evening wear, accessories, or as a base color for intricate patterns. Its dark and mysterious allure lends itself well to creating a sophisticated and edgy style. It also looks amazing for the make up and nail design for gothic and similar style trends. The color creates mysterious and intriguing allure.
Interior Design
The use of the color in interiors is most often to make other colors pop. The best way to implement the color is to use other contrasting colours to help make the room feel more alive. The colour should only be used in larger rooms, where it doesn't make the room feel too cramped. The color can also be used in accents.