Dark Gray Color (#A9A9A9)
Dark Gray is a CSS named color defined as hex code #A9A9A9. CSS dark gray is a neutral mid-light gray, and it is lighter than CSS gray. The names come from an older color list and are not in order of brightness.
Color Overview & Formats
darkgrayLuminance: 0.3968| Format | Syntax / Values | Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEX | #A9A9A9 | 6-digit hex web code | |
| RGB | rgb(169, 169, 169) | Red, Green, Blue channels (0-255) | |
| HSL | hsl(0, 0%, 66%) | Hue (0°), Saturation (0%), Lightness (66%) | |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(0, 0%, 66%) | Hue, Saturation (0%), Value/Brightness (66%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 34%) | Digital mathematical approximation (non-print) | |
| OKLCH | oklch(0.735 0.000 0.0) | Perceptually uniform color space (CSS Color 4 approximation) |
background-color: #A9A9A9; /* or darkgray */- Select color format: Choose the desired format (HEX #A9A9A9, RGB, or HSL).
- Copy the code: Click the copy button or press Tab+Enter to store in clipboard.
- Pair with black text: Black text on Dark Gray reaches 8.94:1 (WCAG AAA).
What Colors Go With Dark Gray?
These 6 colors all go well with Dark Gray (#A9A9A9), and each one is a standard CSS named color. The ratio is the WCAG 2.2 contrast of that color on Dark Gray: at 4.5:1 or above it works for text; below that, use it for backgrounds and accents.
Harmonious Palettes & Tints
The palettes below are algorithmically generated across standard intervals based on Dark Gray (HSL 0°). Each group offers full palette copy and live preview:
Complementary Harmony
Hue rotated 180 degrees on the HSL wheel (0° to 180°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Analogous Harmony
Hues 30 degrees either side (330° and 30°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Triadic Harmony
Hues spaced evenly by 120 degrees (120° and 240°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Tints & Shades
Mixed with white (tints) and black (shades) in sRGB at 60% and 30%.
WCAG 2.2 Text Readability & Contrast Check
Under WCAG 2.2 criteria, regular body text requires at least 4.5:1 (AA) and large text requires at least 3.0:1. The table below displays calculated contrast ratios:
| Foreground Color | Contrast Ratio | Normal Text (AA) | Large Text (AA) | Normal Text AAA (>= 7.0:1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pure Black (#000000) | 8.94:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Pure White (#FFFFFF) | 2.35:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
Dark Charcoal (#212529) | 6.56:1 | Pass | Pass | Fail |
Mid Gray (#666666) | 2.44:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
Interactive Contrast Tester
Enter text foreground and background colors to verify WCAG legibility:
This is sample body text rendered directly to verify contrast and readability.
Dark Gray Background Download
Download standard 1920x1080 solid desktop wallpaper or generate mobile wallpaper:
Standard Wallpaper: 1920x1080 PNG (#A9A9A9)Download Options
All wallpaper files precisely match the W3C standard color value:
CSS Standard & Usage Notes
darkgray = #a9a9a9 (rgb(169, 169, 169))
UI Design & Accessibility Guidelines
Use it for borders, placeholder text, disabled states and neutral backgrounds. On Dark Gray, black text passes WCAG AAA at every size (8.94:1); white text fails even for large text (2.35:1).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use black text on Dark Gray?
Yes. Black text on Dark Gray has a WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio of 8.94:1, passing both AA (4.5:1) and AAA (7:1) at every text size.
Can I use white text on Dark Gray?
No. White text on Dark Gray has a WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio of only 2.35:1, below the 3:1 minimum even for large text.
What colors go with Dark Gray?
Black, Navy, Midnight Blue, Dark Slate Gray, White and Ivory all go well with Dark Gray. Black (8.94:1), Navy (6.81:1) and Midnight Blue (6.32:1) have enough contrast for text on Dark Gray; Dark Slate Gray, White and Ivory work better as a background or accent.
Why is dark gray lighter than gray in CSS?
CSS Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) is lighter than Gray (#808080). It is a historical quirk of the color names CSS inherited. Dim Gray (#696969) is darker than both.