Steel Gray
General Information about Steel Gray
The hex color code #202637 represents a shade of gray known as Steel Gray. It is composed of 12.5% red, 14.9% green, and 21.6% blue. In the RGB color model, it is defined by the values (32, 38, 55). Steel Gray exhibits a subdued and sophisticated character, falling within the cooler end of the gray spectrum. Colors similar to Steel Gray evoke feelings of calmness, neutrality, and understated elegance. It is often associated with modern and minimalist design aesthetics. The color can be found in a variety of applications from web design, where it can serve as a background or text color, to interior design, where it can be applied to walls and furniture.
The hex color #202637, also known as Steel Gray, presents certain accessibility considerations for web design. Its relatively low luminance can pose challenges in ensuring sufficient contrast with both foreground and background elements. When using this color for text, it's crucial to pair it with a very light color, such as white (#FFFFFF) or a very light gray, to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) contrast ratios. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text (14 point and bold or larger, or 18 point or larger). Failure to achieve adequate contrast can make content difficult or impossible for users with visual impairments to read. Avoid pairing #202637 with darker shades or colors of similar luminance, as this will undoubtedly result in poor readability. Careful consideration of color combinations is essential to provide an inclusive and accessible user experience.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Backgrounds and UI elements
Steel Gray, with its muted and sophisticated tone, finds application in website backgrounds, providing a subtle yet elegant canvas for content. It's often chosen when the goal is to create a calm and professional visual experience, avoiding harsh contrasts and vibrant distractions. In UI design, it can be used for secondary elements, such as dividers or button backgrounds, to create visual hierarchy without overwhelming the primary content. When using as background, make sure to select a font color with great contrast.
Interior Design and Fashion
In interior design, Steel Gray serves as a versatile neutral, offering a more interesting alternative to traditional white or beige. It can be used on walls to create a sophisticated and calming atmosphere, or as an accent color in furniture and accessories. It pairs well with both warm and cool tones, allowing for flexibility in decorating schemes. In fashion, this color works great as a neutral color for pants and jackets, and can be combined with a lot of other colors.
Print Media and Corporate Branding
In graphic design, steel gray is used for creating print media such as business cards, brochures and stationary. It serves as a subtle and sophisticated background color that allows the text and other visual elements to stand out without clashing. It is often used in corporate branding to convey professionalism, neutrality, and seriousness. Due to its neutral appearance, it can be easily combined with accent colors to create a striking visual impact that is suitable for a wide range of design styles.