Is Onyx (#353839) accessible for digital body text?

Against a pure white background (#FFFFFF), #353839 achieves a contrast ratio of 11.82:1 (Passing WCAG AA normal text). Against a dark slate background (#0F172A), it achieves a contrast ratio of 1.51:1 (Failing WCAG AA normal text).

Which color harmonies pair best with Onyx?

The exact complementary color for #353839 is #3A3736. For analogous pairings, use #363A39 and #36373A. You can explore these combinations further in our Color Harmony Generator.

Color Directory/Onyx

Onyx (#353839)

Q: What are the exact digital and print color codes for Onyx (#353839)?

Onyx has the HEX code #353839. In RGB color coordinates, its values are 53, 56, 57. In HSL, it is 195°, 4%, 22%. In CMYK print values, it corresponds to C:7% M:2% Y:0% K:78%.

Luminance: 4% · Nearest standard name: Onyx

Generate Around This Color

ONYX

#353839

rgb(53, 56, 57) · hsl(195°, 4%, 22%)

HEX#353839

RGB53, 56, 57

HSL195°, 4%, 22%

HSV / HSB195°, 7%, 22%

CMYK (Print)7%, 2%, 0%, 78%

Color Harmonies

Complementary

#353839#3A3736

Analogous

#363A39#353839#36373A

Triadic

#353839#3A3639#393A36

Tints & Shades

Lighter Tints

Darker Shades

WCAG 2.2 Contrast Verification

Against White (#FFFFFF)11.82:1

Sample text rendered with #353839 on white

AA Normal: PASSAA Large: PASS

Against Dark (#0F172A)1.51:1

Sample text rendered with #353839 on dark

AA Normal: FAILAA Large: FAIL

Palettes Featuring Similar Tones

cp-featured-01Technology

TechModernCool

cp-featured-02Sunset

SunsetGradientCreative

cp-featured-03Vintage

VintageRetroWarm

cp-featured-04Gaming

Cyber Glitch Protocol

GamingFuturisticNeon

Comprehensive Color Profile & Design Architecture

The Complete Color Guide to Onyx (#353839)

Onyx (#353839) is a distinct shade within the Slate & Neutral chromatic spectrum. Characterized by an optical luminance of 4% and a neutral color temperature, this tone plays a vital role across web applications, brand identities, and editorial typography. Discover its mathematical harmonies, accessibility metrics, UI engineering roles, and front-end code tokens.

Technical Colorimetry & Coordinate Breakdown

Exact mathematical values across digital display, print press, and human perceptual spaces.

HEX Code#353839

RGB Space53, 56, 57

HSL Values195°, 4%, 22%

HSV / HSB195°, 7%, 22%

CMYK Ink7%, 2%, 0%, 78%

TemperatureNeutral

Optical Color Harmony Formulas for Onyx

Geometric intervals calculated from #353839 on the 360-degree color wheel.

Direct Polar (180°)#3A3736

Complementary Harmony

Pairs Onyx with its polar opposite (#3A3736) to create maximum optical contrast, perfect for high-converting call-to-action buttons.

Adjacent (±30°)#363A39 · #36373A

Analogous Harmony

Positions adjacent neighboring hues on either side of Onyx for serene, gentle, and organic visual transitions.

Split Angles (150° / 210°)#3A3637 · #3A3936

Split-Complementary

Uses the two colors flanking the direct complement of Onyx, offering rich visual variety without harsh chromatic vibration.

Triangular (120°)#3A3639 · #393A36

Triadic Harmony

Forms an equilateral triangle on the color wheel, generating playful, dynamic energy when balanced against a neutral background.

Rectangular (90°)#39363A · #3A3736 · #373A36

Tetradic (Square) Harmony

A rich four-color scheme combining two complementary pairs, ideal for complex dashboards, gaming HUDs, and multi-tier charts.

Interactive Exploration

Build Palettes With Onyx

Lock #353839 inside our interactive generator to calculate live matching palettes in real time.

Launch Palette Generator

The 60-30-10 UI Implementation Role for Onyx

Recommended proportional volume and semantic interface assignment.

Recommended Assignment: Structural Surface & Border Tone (30% Volume)

Because of its muted, low-chroma saturation (4%), Onyx (#353839) excels as a secondary surface color for container cards, table borders, navigation sidebars, and divider strokes.

Light Mode SurfaceIdeal for buttons and badges

Dark Mode AdaptationOptimal dark canvas backdrop

Tonal Expansion ScaleView 10-step design token ramp →

Color Psychology & Industry Alignment

Strategic cognitive triggers and target sector recommendations.

Cognitive & Emotional Perception

Provides timeless neutrality, structural balance, and minimalist sophistication. Eliminates chromatic noise so primary content and photography take center stage.

Optimal Industry Verticals

Editorial Publications, Minimalist Portfolios, Architecture, Hardware Engineering. Combining Onyx with intentional neutral whitespace reinforces authority and conversion clarity.

Production Code Tokens for Onyx

Drop-in design system tokens for CSS, Tailwind CSS, and SCSS.

CSS Custom Properties (:root)Vanilla CSS

:root {
  --color-353839: #353839;
  --color-353839-rgb: 53, 56, 57;
  --color-353839-hsl: 195deg 4% 22%;
}

tailwind.config.jsTailwind CSS

module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      colors: {
        '353839': '#353839',
      }
    }
  }
};

Explore Related Color Tools for Onyx

Continue developing your color system with specialized design tools.

Palette Generator

Generate harmonious 5-color palettes anchored to Onyx.

Launch Tool

WCAG Contrast Checker

Verify Level AA and AAA readability for Onyx against any background.

Check Contrast

Shades & Tints Scale

Generate a full 10-step tonal scale from 50 to 900 for Onyx.

Expand Scale

CSS Gradient Generator

Create linear and radial gradients blending Onyx with complementary hues.

Build Gradients

Frequently Asked Questions About Onyx (#353839)

Authoritative answers covering Onyx color codes, WCAG contrast compliance, and UI design systems.

What are the exact digital and print color codes for Onyx (#353839)?

Onyx is defined by the HEX code #353839. Its digital screen RGB coordinates are R:53, G:56, B:57. Its cylindrical HSL values are Hue:195°, Saturation:4%, Lightness:22%. In HSV/HSB format, it is 195°, 7%, 22%. For four-color CMYK process printing, its ink percentages are C:7%, M:2%, Y:0%, K:78%.

Does Onyx (#353839) pass WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards for text readability?

Against a pure white (#FFFFFF) background, Onyx achieves a contrast ratio of 11.82:1 (Passing WCAG AA for normal body text, and Passing for large headings). Against dark slate (#0F172A), it achieves a contrast ratio of 1.51:1 (Failing WCAG AA).

What is the direct complementary color for Onyx (#353839)?

The exact 180-degree optical complementary color for #353839 is #3A3736. When placed side-by-side, #353839 and #3A3736 create maximum visual tension and high click-through conversion rates.

What is the recommended role for Onyx in the 60-30-10 UI design rule?

Because of its muted, low-chroma saturation (4%), Onyx (#353839) excels as a secondary surface color for container cards, table borders, navigation sidebars, and divider strokes.

How can I copy and export Onyx into Tailwind CSS and CSS variables?

You can define Onyx in CSS custom properties as ':root { --color-custom: #353839; }' or paste it into your 'tailwind.config.js' file under 'theme.extend.colors'. You can also generate full palettes containing Onyx using our interactive Color Palette Generator.

Which color family does Onyx (#353839) belong to?

Onyx belongs to the Slate & Neutral family (Neutral spectrum). You can explore full tonal ramps and curated palettes in our Slate & Neutral Color Guide.