#D8D8D6
#A0A0A0
#5C5C5E
#1E1E20
Background
Primary Accent
Secondary
Body Text

Graphite Set Color Palette

#D8D8D6 · #A0A0A0 · #5C5C5E · #1E1E20

AAA
WCAG Grade
11.7:1
Contrast Ratio
700
Saves
1,631
AI Copies
AI Prompt

Use #D8D8D6 as the background. Use #A0A0A0 as the primary accent. Use #5C5C5E as secondary. Use #1E1E20 as body text/supporting color. Palette mood: Graphite Set — mono, cool, moody, vintage.

Hex Codes, RGB & CMYK Color Values

Technical breakdown for the Graphite Set color scheme. Use these values for web design (HEX/RGB), print projects (CMYK), or specialized design software (HSL).

Swatch Design Role HEX RGB CMYK HSL
Background
Luminance: 68.6%
216, 216, 214 0%, 0%, 1%, 15% 60°, 2%, 84%
Primary Accent
Luminance: 35.2%
160, 160, 160 0%, 0%, 0%, 37% 0°, 0%, 63%
Secondary
Luminance: 10.7%
92, 92, 94 2%, 2%, 0%, 63% 240°, 1%, 36%
Body Text
Luminance: 1.3%
30, 30, 32 6%, 6%, 0%, 87% 240°, 3%, 12%

Graphite Set Tints & Shades

Hover states, borders and elevation need lighter and darker steps of your base colors. Here are computed tints and shades for every color in the Graphite Set palette — click any swatch to copy its hex.

#D8D8D6 neutral gray
#A0A0A0 neutral gray
#5C5C5E neutral gray
#1E1E20 neutral gray

Graphite Set Palette Contrast Matrix (WCAG 2.1)

Every color tested as text on every other color as background. Body copy needs 4.5:1 (AA), large text and UI components 3:1. AAA requires 7:1.

Text on Background Preview Ratio Grade Safe For
#1E1E20 on #D8D8D6
Aa Sample Text
11.66:1 AAA Body text, headings, UI
#D8D8D6 on #1E1E20
Aa Sample Text
11.66:1 AAA Body text, headings, UI
#1E1E20 on #A0A0A0
Aa Sample Text
6.36:1 AA Body text, UI
#A0A0A0 on #1E1E20
Aa Sample Text
6.36:1 AA Body text, UI
#5C5C5E on #D8D8D6
Aa Sample Text
4.67:1 AA Body text, UI
#D8D8D6 on #5C5C5E
Aa Sample Text
4.67:1 AA Body text, UI
#5C5C5E on #A0A0A0
Aa Sample Text
2.55:1 Fail Decorative use only
#A0A0A0 on #5C5C5E
Aa Sample Text
2.55:1 Fail Decorative use only
#1E1E20 on #5C5C5E
Aa Sample Text
2.49:1 Fail Decorative use only
#5C5C5E on #1E1E20
Aa Sample Text
2.49:1 Fail Decorative use only
#A0A0A0 on #D8D8D6
Aa Sample Text
1.83:1 Fail Decorative use only
#D8D8D6 on #A0A0A0
Aa Sample Text
1.83:1 Fail Decorative use only

Graphite Set Color Psychology & Meaning

A graphite set runs from pale silver to near black with only a slight cool cast, which makes it useful wherever colour would distract, and this palette is graphite pale with graphite deep. It feels simple and complete, the color of a set of tones with no name for any of them.

Color Harmony: Triadic Scheme

The Graphite Set palette is built using a triadic relationship between its hues. This ensures that even with high-contrast accents, the overall scheme feels balanced and intentional.

Hue Wheel

A triadic palette is often preferred by professional designers because it balances visual interest with cohesion.

History & Design Context

Graphite's metallic grey comes from the way its layered structure reflects light rather than from any pigment, which is why graphite drawings shift in appearance as you move past them.

Best Design Use Cases

Use the graphite pale for page backgrounds, graphite mid for calls to action, graphite deep for card accents, and graphite black for text.

Industries This Palette Suits

Product design, interfaces, industrial design, ceramics.

Colors That Pair Well With Graphite Set

Need a fifth color? These three companions are computed from the palette's own hue positions on the color wheel, so they extend the scheme without breaking its harmony.

teal

directly opposite #A0A0A0 on the wheel — the strongest accent for CTAs and highlights when you need maximum energy

orange

30° beside #A0A0A0 — a calm secondary that extends the palette without adding tension

tinted neutral

a ink-black carrying the palette's own hue — perfect for surfaces and dividers

Using Graphite Set Without Breaking Accessibility

  • Avoid #A0A0A0 for small UI elements on #D8D8D6 — at 1.8:1 it misses the 3:1 WCAG threshold; darken it with a shade from the ramp below.
  • Set body text in #1E1E20 — 11.7:1 against #D8D8D6 passes WCAG AA (AAA) for long-form reading.
  • Let #5C5C5E carry sidebars, cards and footers — at a mid lightness it separates zones without stealing focus from #A0A0A0.

How to Implement the Graphite Set Color Scheme

To use this Graphite Set color palette in your web project, you can copy the following CSS variables or Tailwind CSS configuration. These roles ensure your UI maintains accessibility and visual hierarchy.

Option 1: CSS Variables

:root { 
  /* {name} Palette - ihatecolors.com */{'
'}  --color-bg: {colors[0]};{'
'}  --color-primary: {colors[1]};{'
'}  --color-secondary: {colors[2]};{'
'}  --color-text: {colors[3]};{'
'} {'}'}

Web Design Tip

Use #D8D8D6 for the main background and #A0A0A0 for primary buttons. This creates a high-contrast focal point.

Accessibility Note

The contrast ratio between #1E1E20 and #D8D8D6 is 11.66:1 (AAA). Ensure your body text remains legible.

Graphite Set Palette — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hex codes in the Graphite Set color palette?

The Graphite Set palette contains #D8D8D6, #A0A0A0, #5C5C5E, #1E1E20. Click any swatch on this page to copy its value, or export all four at once as CSS variables, Tailwind config, SCSS or a Figma-ready list.

Is the Graphite Set color palette accessible (WCAG)?

Yes for its strongest pairings: #1E1E20 on #D8D8D6 reaches 11.7:1 (AAA). For body text always keep a 4.5:1 ratio and for large UI elements 3:1 — the full contrast matrix above shows the exact score for every color-on-color combination in this palette.

What colors go well with the Graphite Set palette?

Beyond its own four colors, #A1A1A1, #AAA197, #151514 extend it naturally: the complementary hue for high-energy accents, an analogous neighbor for calm transitions, and a tinted neutral for surfaces. All three are computed from this palette's hues on the color wheel.

What mood does the Graphite Set palette create?

Graphite Set reads as mono, cool, moody. Neutral gray drives the personality, grounded by neutral gray — a combination that works best when the very light base gets most of the canvas.

Can I use the Graphite Set color palette commercially?

Yes. Individual color values can't be copyrighted, so the Graphite Set palette is free for personal, client and commercial work — websites, branding, apps, print and social content, with no attribution required.

How do I add the Graphite Set palette to Tailwind or CSS?

Use the export panel on this page: CSS variables, a Tailwind config block, SCSS variables, or a Figma copy list are generated from Graphite Set's exact values, including the tint and shade ramps shown above.

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