Sepia Black
General Information about Sepia Black
The hexadecimal color code #27050B, often referred to as Sepia Black, is a very dark, muted shade of red. It belongs to the Sepia color family, although it leans heavily towards black due to its low saturation and luminance values. This color is composed of 15.3% red, 2% green, and 4.3% blue. In the RGB color model, it's represented as (39, 5, 11). Sepia Black evokes a sense of antiquity, mystery, and understated elegance. It's commonly used in design contexts where a touch of vintage or classic appeal is desired, often associated with old photographs or a sense of history. Its darkness makes it a challenging color to use effectively, requiring careful consideration of contrast and surrounding colors.
The color #27050B, also known as Sepia Black, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly for users with visual impairments. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 0.004 makes it difficult to distinguish from true black. According to WCAG guidelines, the contrast ratio between text or interactive elements in #27050B and a background color must be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to meet AA compliance. Meeting AAA compliance requires even higher contrast ratios. Given the darkness of Sepia Black, it's crucial to pair it with very light colors for text or interactive elements. Using color contrast checkers is essential to ensure sufficient contrast and readability. Avoid using it for essential information or interactive elements without careful consideration of contrast. Also consider providing alternative cues, such as icons or text labels, to ensure usability for all users.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #330810
A slightly lighter shade offers improved contrast while maintaining a similar dark and muted feel.
- #402010
A desaturated brown provides a softer and more accessible alternative while retaining the earthy tones.
- #4f1a0a
A deep red-brown can offer a similar richness while increasing visibility and contrast.
Applications
Website Backgrounds
Sepia Black's dark and mysterious nature makes it suitable as a background color in website designs aiming for a sophisticated or vintage aesthetic. It can be paired with gold or cream accents to enhance this effect. However, attention must be paid to text contrast by choosing appropriate foreground colors.
Branding
This color can be used in branding materials for products or services aiming for a luxurious, classic, or sophisticated image. It might be appropriate for high-end brands related to coffee, chocolate, or vintage goods.
Interior Design Accent
Sepia Black can serve as an accent color in interior design, adding depth and warmth to a space. It can be used on walls, furniture, or decorative elements, especially when combined with lighter neutrals or metallic accents.