Cocoa Brown
General Information about Cocoa Brown
The hexadecimal color #251623, often referred to as Cocoa Brown, is a dark, muted shade of brown. It is composed of 14.5% red, 8.6% green, and 13.7% blue. In the RGB color space, it represents a relatively low intensity of each primary color. This results in a color that is perceived as earthy, warm, and somewhat subdued. Cocoa Brown can evoke feelings of comfort, stability, and sophistication. It's a color often associated with natural materials like wood, leather, and soil. In color psychology, browns are generally considered to be reliable, supportive, and connected to the earth. Its versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of applications from web design to fashion. However, due to its low brightness, it requires careful consideration of contrast and accessibility.
The hex color #251623, also known as Cocoa Brown, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly in text applications. Its low lightness value of approximately 0.14 results in limited contrast against white backgrounds. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Using #251623 for text on a white background would likely fail these requirements, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to read. Therefore, it's advisable to pair #251623 with much lighter colors or use it sparingly for purely decorative elements. For interactive elements such as buttons, sufficient contrast is critical to ensure usability for all users. When using it in the background, lighter text colors should be preferred. Testing the color combination with accessibility evaluation tools is highly recommended.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #382234
A slightly lighter brown that provides better contrast while maintaining a similar warm aesthetic.
- #444444
A neutral gray that offers a safer choice for text and UI elements, ensuring better readability.
- #F5F5DC
A light beige that provides sufficient contrast against darker elements, ensuring better readability.
Applications
Website Background
Cocoa Brown can be used as a background color for websites that want to convey a sense of warmth, luxury, or earthiness. It can be effective for brands associated with coffee, chocolate, or natural products. However, care must be taken to ensure sufficient contrast with text and other elements. For example, a website for a artisan chocolate shop could use #251623 for the website header, paired with cream or beige colored text to ensure readability. Using it in combination with gold accents can also amplify the luxury feel of the brand.
Fashion Apparel
In fashion, Cocoa Brown can be a versatile color for creating a sophisticated and understated look. It works well for clothing items like jackets, trousers, or dresses, especially in fall and winter collections. This color can be combined with warmer colors to create a more inviting aesthetic. In addition, it can be paired with neutral colors to create a more professional aesthetic. A Cocoa Brown dress paired with nude heels and gold accessories could make a timeless and elegant outfit.
Interior Design
In interior design, Cocoa Brown can be used to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in living rooms, bedrooms, or studies. It can be applied to walls, furniture, or accent pieces. It works well with natural materials like wood and leather, as well as warm metallic accents. For example, a Cocoa Brown accent wall in a living room, paired with a beige sofa, wooden coffee table, and gold lamps, could create a warm and elegant space. It is also very suitable for rustic, vintage or even victorian environments.