#B9B5CB color
The hex color #B9B5CB is a light, grayish violet.
In the RGB color model it is made of 72.5% red, 71% green and 79.6% blue (185, 181, 203).
Its hue angle is 251°, with 17% saturation and 75% lightness. For print, the CMYK equivalent is 9% cyan, 11% magenta, 0% yellow and 20% black.
The closest named color is Blue Haze (#BDBACE), a difference of 1.5 ΔE, which is barely visible.
Black text is the more readable choice on this background (contrast 10.53:1).
#B9B5CB color codes
| HEX | #B9B5CB | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(185, 181, 203) | |
| RGB percent | rgb(72.5%, 71%, 79.6%) | |
| HSL | hsl(251, 17%, 75%) | |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(251, 11%, 80%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(9%, 11%, 0%, 20%) | |
| CIE LAB | lab(74.62, 5.65, -10.59) | |
| CIE LCH | lch(74.62, 12.01, 298.09) | |
| CIE XYZ | xyz(47.309, 47.674, 63.198) | |
| Decimal | 12170699 | |
| Short hex | None (no 3-digit form) |
Color harmonies
Colors that go with #B9B5CB, 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 #B9B5CB | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 10.53:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Sample text | 1.99:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| #B9B5CB as text on | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 1.99:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| Sample text | 10.53:1 | 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 #B9B5CB looks to people with the most common types of color vision deficiency.
#b1b8ccProtanopia
no red cones#b1b7caDeuteranopia
no green cones#b6b8bcTritanopia
no blue cones#b8b8b8Achromatopsia
no color vision
CSS examples
.background { background-color: #b9b5cb; }
.text { color: #b9b5cb; }
.border { border: 2px solid #b9b5cb; }
.transparent { background-color: rgb(185 181 203 / 50%); }
.gradient { background: linear-gradient(to right, #b9b5cb, #c4b5cb); }
Similar colors
#bdbaceBlue Haze#b8b9cbCosmic#c4bad2Fog Syringa#b3b2bfNebulous December#c6bbdbNew Love#bdb0d0Pastel Lilac#b7bdd1Violet Vision#cec3ddLavender Bliss
Closest common color name: Light Purple.
Questions
- What color is #B9B5CB?
- #B9B5CB is a light, grayish violet, closest to the named color Blue Haze. It belongs to the gray family of colors.
- What is the RGB value of #B9B5CB?
- The RGB value is 185, 181, 203: 185 red, 181 green and 203 blue on a 0 to 255 scale.
- What is the complementary color of #B9B5CB?
- The complementary color is #C7CBB5, found by rotating the hue 180° on the color wheel.
- Is black or white text better on #B9B5CB?
- Black text. Black text has a contrast ratio of 10.53:1 and white text 1.99:1. WCAG asks for at least 4.5:1 for normal text.