Smoky Black

HEX: #100C08 | Modern Palette

On White
19.48:1
PASS
On Black
1.08:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#100C08
RGB
16, 12, 8
HSL
30°, 50% ,6%
CMYK
0, 25, 50, 93.73

About Smoky Black

Smoky Black (#100C08) is a color with RGB(16, 12, 8) and HSL(30°, 50%, 6.27%). It is commonly associated with Bold moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Background. Its complementary color is #080C10, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #08100C and #0C0810. The name comes from Smoky Black (English).

  • HEX: #100C08
  • RGB: 16, 12, 8
  • HSL: 30°, 50%, 6.27%
  • Mood: Bold
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Background
  • Complementary color: #080C10
  • Triadic colors: #08100C, #0C0810
  • The name comes from Smoky Black (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Smoky Black #100C08 is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
SMOKY BLACK
 
 
 
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
SMOKY BLACK
 
 
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
 
 
 
 
 
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.
 
 
 
 
 

Color Harmonies

Smoky Black #100C08 pairs with #080C10 as its complementary color, and #08100C and #0C0810 in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

SMOKY BLACK
Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

SMOKY BLACK
Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

SMOKY BLACK
Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

SMOKY BLACK
Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

SMOKY BLACK
Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

SMOKY BLACK

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Smoky Black #100C08 moves from dark #110D09 tones through the base color to lighter #F6F2EE tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

SMOKY BLACK

Color Characteristics

Mood
Bold
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Background

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #0D0D08
Protanopia #0C0C08
Tritanopia #100C0C
Achromatopsia #0D0D0D

Frequently Asked Questions

Smoky Black (#100C08) is a color with RGB(16, 12, 8) and HSL(30°, 50%, 6.27%).

#100C08 pairs strongly with #080C10 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#100C08 is suitable for Text, Button, Background and works well with Warm styles.

#100C08 is commonly associated with Bold.

The name Smoky Black is linked to Smoky Black from English, meaning A very dark shade of black with a hint of grey or brown, reminiscent of smoke..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Smoky Black
Meaning A very dark shade of black with a hint of grey or brown, reminiscent of smoke.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th - Early 20th Century (as a specific color name)

History

The concept of 'black' is ancient, one of the first colors perceived and named. 'Smoky' as a descriptor for color also has a long history, referring to the greyish, often dark, translucent quality of smoke. Combining them to 'smoky black' creates a more specific hue that is not a pure, deep black, but one softened or tinged with the visual qualities of smoke. This color often evokes a sense of mystery, sophistication, or a slightly muted intensity. Its use became more prevalent as color palettes expanded beyond primary and secondary colors, allowing for more descriptive and evocative names.

First Recorded Use

While 'smoky' and 'black' have existed for centuries, the specific compound 'smoky black' as a distinct color descriptor likely gained traction in the late 19th or early 20th century, particularly in fashion, art, and industrial design contexts where nuanced color descriptions became more common. Earlier uses might be more descriptive than a formal color name.

Cultural Associations

Smoky Black is often associated with elegance, mystery, and a certain understated power. It can be seen in formal wear, luxury goods, and interior design. It's a versatile color that can be both modern and classic. In some contexts, it might also evoke a sense of industrial grit or a natural, unpolished aesthetic, depending on the materials and textures it's applied to. It's less stark than pure black, offering a softer, more nuanced alternative.

Similar Named Colors
Onyx #0F0F0F ΔE 2.23
Others #-0 ΔE 2.99
Black #000000 ΔE 2.99
Rich Black (FOGRA39) #010203 ΔE 3.20

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #100C08;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #100C08;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #100C08;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #100C08,
        #081018
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #100C08,
        #081018
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$smoky-black: #100C08;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$smoky-black-r: 16;
$smoky-black-g: 12;
$smoky-black-b: 8;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $smoky-black;
    color: rgba($smoky-black-r, $smoky-black-g, $smoky-black-b, 0.8);
}