Cadet Grey

HEX: #91A3B0 | Modern Palette

On White
2.60:1
FAIL
On Black
8.07:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#91A3B0
RGB
145, 163, 176
HSL
205°, 17% ,69%
CMYK
17.61, 7.39, 0, 30.98

About Cadet Grey

Cadet Grey (#91A3B0) is a color with RGB(145, 163, 176) and HSL(205.16°, 17.61%, 69.02%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #B09E91, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #B091A3 and #A3B091. The name comes from Cadet Grey (English).

  • HEX: #91A3B0
  • RGB: 145, 163, 176
  • HSL: 205.16°, 17.61%, 69.02%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Muted, Cool
  • Use case: Text, Background, Border
  • Complementary color: #B09E91
  • Triadic colors: #B091A3, #A3B091
  • The name comes from Cadet Grey (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Cadet Grey #91A3B0 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.
 
 
 
CADET GREY
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
CADET GREY
 
 
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

Cadet Grey #91A3B0 pairs with #B09E91 as its complementary color, and #B091A3 and #A3B091 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.

CADET GREY
Analogous

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

CADET GREY
Triadic

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

CADET GREY
Split-Complementary

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

CADET GREY
Tetradic (Square)

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

CADET GREY
Monochromatic

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

CADET GREY

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Cadet Grey #91A3B0 moves from dark #0B0D0F tones through the base color to lighter #F0F3F4 tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

CADET GREY

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Muted Cool
Use case
Text Background Border

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9E9EB0
Protanopia #A1A1B0
Tritanopia #8FA5A5
Achromatopsia #A0A0A0

Frequently Asked Questions

Cadet Grey (#91A3B0) is a color with RGB(145, 163, 176) and HSL(205.16°, 17.61%, 69.02%).

#91A3B0 pairs strongly with #B09E91 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#91A3B0 is suitable for Text, Background, Border and works well with Muted, Cool styles.

#91A3B0 is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Cadet Grey is linked to Cadet Grey from English, meaning A specific shade of grey, often associated with military or school uniforms..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Cadet Grey
Meaning A specific shade of grey, often associated with military or school uniforms.
Language English
First Recorded Use 19th Century

History

The color 'cadet grey' is intrinsically linked to military and naval academies, particularly in the United States. The United States Military Academy at West Point, for example, has a long history of using grey in its uniforms. The specific shade 'cadet grey' became a recognized color name due to its prevalence in these uniforms. It's a medium-light grey with a slight blue undertone, making it distinct from other greys like 'charcoal' or 'slate'. Over time, the term has expanded beyond just military contexts to describe the color itself in fashion, interior design, and other fields.

First Recorded Use

The term 'cadet grey' likely emerged in the 19th century as military academies and schools began to standardize their uniform colors. While a precise first recorded use is difficult to pinpoint without extensive historical textile and uniform records, the concept of a specific 'cadet' color would have become relevant as such institutions grew.

Cultural Associations

Cadet grey evokes a sense of discipline, formality, and tradition due to its strong association with military and academic institutions. It is often seen as a sophisticated and understated color. In fashion, it can be used to create classic and professional looks. In interior design, it offers a calming and versatile neutral that can be paired with a wide range of other colors. Its slight blueness can give it a cool, modern feel.

Similar Named Colors
Manatee #979AAA ΔE 7.69
Air Superiority Blue #72A0C1 ΔE 8.03
Moonstone Blue #73A9C2 ΔE 8.34
Dark Gray #A9A9A9 ΔE 8.74

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #91A3B0;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #91A3B0;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #91A3B0;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #91A3B0,
        #BEAEA2
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #91A3B0,
        #BEAEA2
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$cadet-grey: #91A3B0;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$cadet-grey-r: 145;
$cadet-grey-g: 163;
$cadet-grey-b: 176;

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