Steel Gray
General Information about Steel Gray (#1E2439)
The hex color #1E2439, also known as Steel Gray, is a dark, muted shade of gray with industrial and contemporary appeal. It is composed of 11.76% red, 14.12% green, and 22.35% blue. In the RGB color space, this equates to R:30, G:36, B:57. Its CMYK values are C:47, M:37, Y:0, K:78. This color evokes feelings of neutrality, stability, and sophistication. It's often associated with modern design, technology, and a sense of understated elegance. Steel Gray is versatile and can be used in various applications, from web design and branding to interior design and fashion. Its muted nature allows it to pair well with both bold and subtle colors, making it a popular choice for creating balanced and harmonious visual compositions.
The hex color #1E2439, a dark steel gray, presents some accessibility challenges. Its low luminance value means it requires careful consideration when used for text or interactive elements. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast between text and background is crucial for readability, especially for users with visual impairments. When using #1E2439 as a background color, ensure that any foreground text meets at least the AA contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. This can be checked using online contrast checker tools. Avoid using this color for small text or essential UI elements unless paired with a very light color to achieve adequate contrast. Additionally, consider providing alternative color schemes or a high-contrast mode for users who need it.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Backgrounds
In web design, steel gray (#1E2439) can be employed to create a sophisticated and modern aesthetic, often used for website backgrounds, navigation bars, or footer sections. The color evokes a sense of professionalism and neutrality, allowing content to stand out. However, it requires careful consideration of contrast to ensure readability of text and usability of interactive elements. It pairs well with brighter accent colors to provide visual interest and hierarchy, especially when used in a minimalist design approach where a limited color palette is desired. The steel gray will provide a calming and assuring mood to the user.
Interior Design
In interior design, steel gray can be used to establish a calming and modern atmosphere in living spaces or offices. This color works well for walls, furniture upholstery, or accent pieces. When combined with natural materials like wood or stone, it can create a sophisticated yet comfortable environment. The color also serves as a neutral canvas, allowing other decorative elements to shine, and lends itself well to minimalist design schemes. It is also perfectly used in combination with metal components, to enhance the look and feel.
Fashion Design
In the fashion industry, #1E2439 lends itself well to creating a look of understated elegance. It is often used in the production of outerwear like jackets and coats, and also for formal wear such as suits and trousers. It is perfectly suited for creating a professional impression, being ideal for business casual outfits. Combining steel gray with brighter colors such as orange, red or yellow will create appealing outfits. With more neutral tones, it will provide an even more elegant and discreet appeal.