Elephant in the Room color: hex code #A8A9A8
Elephant in the Room has the hex code #A8A9A8. It is a gray.
In the RGB color model it is made of 65.9% red, 66.3% green and 65.9% blue (168, 169, 168).
Its hue angle is 120°, with 1% saturation and 66% lightness. For print, the CMYK equivalent is 1% cyan, 0% magenta, 1% yellow and 34% black.
Black text is the more readable choice on this background (contrast 8.91:1).
Elephant in the Room (#A8A9A8) color codes
| HEX | #A8A9A8 | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(168, 169, 168) | |
| RGB percent | rgb(65.9%, 66.3%, 65.9%) | |
| HSL | hsl(120, 1%, 66%) | |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(120, 1%, 66%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(1%, 0%, 1%, 34%) | |
| CIE LAB | lab(69.13, -0.54, 0.39) | |
| CIE LCH | lch(69.13, 0.67, 144.41) | |
| CIE XYZ | xyz(37.403, 39.528, 42.697) | |
| Decimal | 11053480 | |
| Short hex | None (no 3-digit form) |
Color harmonies
Colors that go with Elephant in the Room, based on their position on the color wheel.
Complementary
The color opposite on the color wheel (180°). Strongest contrast.
Analogous
Neighbors 30° either side. Calm, natural combinations.
Split complementary
The two colors next to the complement (150° and 210°).
Triadic
Three colors evenly spaced, 120° apart.
Tetradic (square)
Four colors 90° apart.
Shades, tints and tones
Shades (darker, mixed with black)
Tints (lighter, mixed with white)
Tones (mixed with gray)
Contrast and accessibility
| Text on #A8A9A8 | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 8.91:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Sample text | 2.36:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| #A8A9A8 as text on | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 2.36:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| Sample text | 8.91:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
WCAG 2 asks for 4.5:1 for normal text (AA), 7:1 for AAA, and 3:1 for large text. Check other pairs.
Color blindness simulation
How #A8A9A8 looks to people with the most common types of color vision deficiency.
#a9a9a8Protanopia
no red cones#a9a9a8Deuteranopia
no green cones#a8a9a9Tritanopia
no blue cones#a9a9a9Achromatopsia
no color vision
CSS examples
.background { background-color: #a8a9a8; }
.text { color: #a8a9a8; }
.border { border: 2px solid #a8a9a8; }
.transparent { background-color: rgb(168 169 168 / 50%); }
.gradient { background: linear-gradient(to right, #a8a9a8, #a8a9a9); }Similar colors
#a9a9a9Dark Gray#a7a7a7Moon Landing#a6a6a6Quicksilver#acaaa7Cathedral#a9a8a9Ultimate Gray#a3a2a1Shadow of the Colossus#b2b2b2Tangled Web#9fa5a5Silent Film
See #A8A9A8 on its hex code page
Questions
- What color is #A8A9A8?
- #A8A9A8 is a gray known as Elephant in the Room. It belongs to the gray family of colors.
- What is the RGB value of Elephant in the Room?
- The RGB value is 168, 169, 168: 168 red, 169 green and 168 blue on a 0 to 255 scale.
- What is the complementary color of Elephant in the Room?
- The complementary color is #A9A8A9, found by rotating the hue 180° on the color wheel.
- Is black or white text better on #A8A9A8?
- Black text. Black text has a contrast ratio of 8.91:1 and white text 2.36:1. WCAG asks for at least 4.5:1 for normal text.