Ash Grey
HEX: #B2BEB5 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#B2BEB5
178, 190, 181
135°, 8% ,72%
6, 0, 5, 25
About Ash Grey
Ash Grey (#B2BEB5) is a color with RGB(178, 190, 181) and HSL(135°, 8.5%, 72.2%). It is commonly associated with Minimal, Calm moods. In design, it fits Monochrome, Pastel styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #BEB2BB, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #B5B2BE and #BEB5B2. The name comes from Ash Grey (English).
- HEX: #B2BEB5
- RGB: 178, 190, 181
- HSL: 135°, 8.5%, 72.2%
- Mood: Minimal, Calm
- Style: Monochrome, Pastel
- Use case: Text, Background, Border
- Complementary color: #BEB2BB
- Triadic colors: #B5B2BE, #BEB5B2
- The name comes from Ash Grey (English).
Live Components
Color Palettes
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 #B2BEB5 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Color Characteristics
Accessibility Simulation
#BBBBB5
#BDBDB5
#B3BDBD
#BBBBBB
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The concept of 'grey' as a color has existed since ancient times, often associated with neutrality, old age, and somberness. The specific descriptor 'ash grey' arises from the common experience of observing the residue of burnt wood. This natural and widely understood reference made 'ash grey' an intuitive and effective way to communicate a particular light to medium, often slightly cool, shade of grey. Its use has been consistent across various fields, from fashion and textiles to art and interior design, whenever a natural, muted grey is desired.
First Recorded Use
The term 'ash grey' or 'ash-grey' to describe a specific shade of grey has been in use in English for several centuries. While pinpointing an exact 'first use' date for a descriptive color term can be challenging, its appearance in literature and descriptive texts becomes more common from the late 17th to early 18th century onwards. For instance, 'ash-coloured' is found earlier, but 'ash grey' as a compound term for the specific shade solidifies around this period.
Cultural Associations
Culturally, ash grey often carries connotations of naturalness, subtlety, and sometimes melancholy or solemnity. It's a color frequently associated with winter landscapes, old stone, and natural fibers. In fashion, it's considered a sophisticated and versatile neutral. In art, it can be used to create depth, shadow, or a sense of quietude. Its connection to ash can also subtly evoke themes of endings, transformation, or the passage of time, though it is generally perceived as a neutral and understated color.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #B2BEB5;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #B2BEB5;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #B2BEB5;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#B2BEB5,
#BEB2BB
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#B2BEB5,
#BEB2BB
);
}// SCSS variable
$ash-grey: #B2BEB5;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$ash-grey-r: 178;
$ash-grey-g: 190;
$ash-grey-b: 181;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $ash-grey;
color: rgba($ash-grey-r, $ash-grey-g, $ash-grey-b, 0.8);
}