Steel Gray
General Information about #221B33
The hexadecimal color #221B33, also known as Steel Gray, is a dark, desaturated shade that resides in the blue-purple spectrum. It's composed of 13.33% red, 10.59% green, and 20% blue. In the RGB color space, it translates to (34, 27, 51). This color evokes a sense of sophistication, mystery, and neutrality. It's often associated with modern and industrial aesthetics. Due to its low saturation and darkness, it's generally used as an accent or background color rather than a primary color. Steel Gray is a versatile color that pairs well with various other colors, including lighter grays, blues, greens, and even some contrasting warm tones. Its subtlety makes it suitable for designs that aim for a refined and understated look.
The color #221B33, a dark steel gray, presents considerable accessibility challenges, especially in text-based applications. Its low luminance contrast against a standard white background falls far short of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) recommendations for normal text (4.5:1) and large text (3:1). Consequently, using #221B33 as text color on a white background, or vice versa, would be illegible for many users, particularly those with visual impairments. To improve accessibility, it's crucial to pair #221B33 with much lighter hues, such as off-whites or light grays, to ensure sufficient contrast. Alternatively, consider using #221B33 sparingly for decorative elements rather than essential information. Tools like contrast checkers can aid in evaluating color combinations and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, ultimately improving the user experience for everyone.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Versatile Background Color
In web design, #221B33 can serve as a sophisticated background color for website sections or headers, especially when aiming for a dark mode aesthetic. Its muted nature allows content to stand out effectively. In interior design, it could be used as an accent wall color in a modern living room or bedroom, paired with brighter furniture and decor elements to create a balanced and stylish space. Fashion-wise, #221B33 can be incorporated into clothing designs, such as a subtle gray blazer or a minimalist dress, offering a versatile and understated look. Graphic designers might use this color in logo designs or branding materials for businesses seeking a professional and refined image, especially those in tech or finance.
Beauty and Cosmetic Applications
Within the beauty industry, #221B33 could be formulated into a nail polish shade or an eyeshadow color, offering a trendy and edgy look. In interiour design, it could be used as an accent wall color in a modern living room or bedroom, paired with brighter furniture and decor elements to create a balanced and stylish space. For branding, #221B33 can be effective when used sparingly to give some images and logos a special look. In digital applications #221B33 can be used as a color for buttons or to highlight content.
Calming and sophisticated atmosphere
The muted tone of #221B33 (Steel Gray) makes it suitable for creating a calming and sophisticated atmosphere in various design projects. In web design, it can be used for background elements, headers, or footers to provide a subtle contrast to brighter content areas. In interior design, it works well as a wall color in studies or home offices, promoting a sense of focus and tranquility. For fashion, it can be incorporated into clothing items such as sweaters, jackets, or trousers to offer a versatile and stylish look. Graphic designers can use it for creating professional-looking logos, brochures, or presentations, particularly for businesses in industries such as technology, finance, or consulting.