Sepia Black
General Information about #2B0008
The hex color #2B0008, often referred to as Sepia Black, is a very dark shade of red. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 17.1% red, 0% green, and 3.1% blue. In the CMYK color model, it consists of 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 81.6% yellow, and 82.9% black. This color is perceived as a deep, muted, and somewhat melancholic hue. Its darkness and reddish undertones give it a warm yet somber character. It is a color that evokes feelings of history, vintage aesthetics, and understated elegance. It's important to consider its low luminance value when using it in design contexts, especially regarding accessibility and readability.
The hex color #2B0008, a very dark shade of reddish-brown, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in text applications. Its extremely low luminance results in very poor contrast against virtually all background colors, including white. This severely hinders readability for individuals with visual impairments, color blindness, or those simply viewing the content under less than ideal lighting conditions. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) stipulate minimum contrast ratios for text and interactive elements to ensure usability for a wide range of users. To meet these guidelines, #2B0008 should be avoided for text or interactive elements unless paired with a very light background color to achieve sufficient contrast. A contrast checker tool should always be utilized to verify compliance. Consider using lighter alternatives to improve accessibility.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #400008
A slightly lighter shade that offers improved contrast while maintaining a similar dark, earthy tone.
- #550008
A dark reddish-brown that provides a bit more visibility and can be more suitable for backgrounds or accents.
- #333333
A more neutral dark gray, which is a safer choice for text due to better contrast with lighter backgrounds.
Applications
Web Design Accent
In web design, #2B0008 can serve as a deep, rich accent color, sparingly used for borders, subtle highlights, or within graphical elements. Due to its darkness, it's not recommended for large areas or text as it poses readability issues. When using it, ensure adequate contrast with surrounding elements, potentially pairing it with lighter shades of beige or gold to maintain visual balance. It can be effective for creating a sense of luxury or sophistication, particularly in themes related to history, wine, or classic design.
Interior Design Accent
In interior design, #2B0008 could be used as a very dark accent wall color in a room with good natural light, or as a component of patterned wallpaper. It could be used in smaller details such as picture frames, or very dark wood finishes to provide a grounding visual weight. Due to its depth, it should be balanced with lighter and brighter colors to avoid making a space feel too enclosed or somber. It works well with warm metallics such as gold or copper to enhance the luxurious feel.
Fashion Accessory Color
In fashion, #2B0008 could be used as a deep, grounding color for accessories like belts or shoes, particularly in leather. It can also work well as a very dark shade in printed patterns. It can be paired with lighter, warmer shades like creams, browns, or rusts to create a sophisticated and earthy palette, or with jewel tones to create a striking visual contrast. Due to its darkness, this color conveys sophistication and elegance when integrated in the right way.