El Paso
General Information about #1A1A0A
The hex color #1A1A0A, often referred to as 'El Paso,' is a very dark shade of brown. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 10.2% red, 10.2% green, and 3.9% blue. Its perceived darkness is due to the very low values across all color channels. In terms of color theory, it resides within the earth tone family, evoking feelings of nature, stability, and grounding. Colors like #1A1A0A are typically associated with reliability and resilience. Due to its dark nature, it's important to consider how it interacts with other colors, particularly in terms of contrast. When used effectively, it can add depth and richness to designs, but it requires careful balancing to avoid appearing too somber or creating accessibility issues.
The hex color #1A1A0A, also known as El Paso, presents significant accessibility challenges. Its very low lightness value (very dark) results in poor contrast against typical light-colored backgrounds. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) require a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text against its background. This color is highly unlikely to meet these ratios with almost any background color except for very light yellows or greens. Using #1A1A0A for text or important user interface elements without careful consideration of contrast can exclude users with visual impairments. Designers should use color contrast tools to verify compliance and may need to choose a lighter color or use a dark background to ensure readability and usability.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Development, Interior Design, and Fashion
In web development, #1A1A0A can be used sparingly for subtle background accents or dividers, but it is generally not suitable for text or interactive elements due to poor contrast. When used as a background, ensure sufficient contrast with foreground elements. In interior design, it could be used as a grounding color in small amounts, perhaps in decorative trim or accents to add depth and richness to a space. In fashion, this color can be used in accessories like belts or shoes, providing a dark, understated element to complete an outfit. It is well suited to evening wear when a dark, luxurious tone is desired.
Branding and Digital Art
In branding, this dark color can be incorporated as a primary branding element for companies that want to project an image of sophistication, resilience and maturity. This can be particularly relevant to companies in the finance or legal sector. It may also be used for creating night scenes in digital art. In user interface design, it can be considered for the dark mode version of an app or website for certain elements, if it is part of a consistent design approach.
Beauty, Film and Gardening
In the beauty sector, #1A1A0A can be used for make-up as an eye shadow, an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner. In the film industry, this color can be used for dark elements of a set design to give a scene a mysterious or dark undertone. When used in combination with other colors, an entire story can be visually told in this manner. Because of the association with the earth, the color can also be used for products that have to do with gardening or landscaping.