Charcoal

HEX: #36454F | Modern Palette

On White
9.90:1
PASS
On Black
2.12:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#36454F
RGB
54, 69, 79
HSL
204°, 31% ,30%
CMYK
31.65, 12.66, 0, 69.02

About Charcoal

Charcoal (#36454F) is a color with RGB(54, 69, 79) and HSL(204°, 31.65%, 30.98%). It is commonly associated with Calm, Luxury moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Print. Its complementary color is #4F4036, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #4F3645 and #454F36. The name comes from Charcoal (English).

  • HEX: #36454F
  • RGB: 54, 69, 79
  • HSL: 204°, 31.65%, 30.98%
  • Mood: Calm, Luxury
  • Style: Muted, Cool
  • Use case: Text, Print
  • Complementary color: #4F4036
  • Triadic colors: #4F3645, #454F36
  • The name comes from Charcoal (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
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

Complementary

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

Analogous

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

Triadic

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

Split-Complementary

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

Tetradic (Square)

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

Monochromatic

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

Shades & Tints

A seamless scale of #36454F from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm Luxury
Style
Muted Cool
Use case
Text Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #41414F
Protanopia #44444F
Tritanopia #344646
Achromatopsia #434343

Frequently Asked Questions

Charcoal (#36454F) is a color with RGB(54, 69, 79) and HSL(204°, 31.65%, 30.98%).

#36454F pairs strongly with #4F4036 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#36454F is suitable for Text, Print and works well with Muted, Cool styles.

#36454F is commonly associated with Calm, Luxury.

The name Charcoal is linked to Charcoal from English, meaning A dark or black porous carbonaceous material, obtained by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Charcoal
Meaning A dark or black porous carbonaceous material, obtained by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late Middle English

History

The word 'charcoal' is believed to be a compound of 'char' (from Old English 'cierran' meaning 'to turn, change, return') and 'coal' (from Old English 'col'). The 'char' element likely refers to the process of burning or scorching. Early charcoal production was essential for metallurgy, particularly for iron smelting, as it provided a hotter and cleaner-burning fuel than wood. It was also used for drawing and as a component in gunpowder. Its use dates back to ancient times, with evidence of charcoal production found in archaeological sites worldwide.

First Recorded Use

Late 14th century

Cultural Associations

Charcoal has played a significant role in human culture. In art, it's one of the oldest drawing materials, prized for its rich blacks and ease of smudging. Historically, it was crucial for industrial development, powering forges and furnaces. In some cultures, charcoal has been used for purification, filtration (e.g., water, air), and even in traditional medicine. Its distinctive smell is often associated with barbecues and campfires, evoking a sense of primal cooking and outdoor living.

Similar Named Colors
Arsenic #3B444B ΔE 2.41
Outer Space #414A4C ΔE 4.81
Japanese Indigo #264348 ΔE 6.83
Onyx #353839 ΔE 7.21

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #36454F;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #36454F;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #36454F;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #36454F,
        #684A36
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #36454F,
        #684A36
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$charcoal: #36454F;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$charcoal-r: 54;
$charcoal-g: 69;
$charcoal-b: 79;

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