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Charcoal vs Dark Grey

What's the difference? Side-by-side comparison with color codes, shades, and usage guide.

Charcoal#36454F
Dark Grey#A9A9A9
#36454FBlended: #70777C#A9A9A9
Quick Answer

Charcoal and Dark Grey are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Charcoal (#36454F) and Dark Grey (#A9A9A9) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.

Key Differences

Aspect Charcoal Dark Grey
BrightnessDark — feels deep, rich, groundedLight — feels airy, bright, lively
SaturationMuted — more subdued, restrainedVivid — more colorful, eye-catching
WarmthCooler — leans more toward blueWarmer — leans slightly toward green
MoodSophisticated, calm, professionalPlayful, energetic, tropical
Best forCorporate branding, interiors, formal designSummer themes, jewelry, casual/fun design
CSS nameteal (built-in)turquoise (built-in)

Can you use them together?

Dark Grey text on Charcoal
Charcoal text on Dark Grey
Contrast Ratio:4.21:1Large Text Only

When to use each

Use Charcoal for:
●Corporate websites and branding
●Elegant interior design
●Professional presentations
●Dark-mode friendly UI elements
●Formal event invitations
Use Dark Grey for:
●Summer and tropical themes
●Children's products and toys
●Beach and travel branding
●Jewelry and gemstone marketing
●Bright, energetic social media posts

Full Color Details

Charcoal#36454F

Teal is a deep blue-green color named after the Eurasian teal bird. It's widely used in web design, fashion, and interior decor for its calming, sophisticated quality.

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Dark Grey#A9A9A9

Turquoise is a brighter, more vibrant blue-green named after the gemstone. It's lighter and more energetic than teal, evoking tropical waters, summer, and playfulness.

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FAQ

What is the difference between charcoal and dark grey?+
Charcoal and Dark Grey are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Charcoal (#36454F) and Dark Grey (#A9A9A9) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.
Is charcoal darker than dark grey?+
Yes. Charcoal (#36454F) is significantly darker than Dark Grey (#A9A9A9). Charcoal has a lightness of 26% in HSL, while Dark Grey has 66% lightness.
Can you use charcoal and dark grey together?+
Yes, they can work well together in a monochromatic or analogous palette since they're both blue-green colors. Their contrast ratio is 4.21:1. Use charcoal as the dominant/darker color and dark grey as the accent or highlight.
What is the hex code for charcoal?+
The hex code for Charcoal is #36454F. In RGB, that's rgb(54, 69, 79).
What is the hex code for dark grey?+
The hex code for Dark Grey is #A9A9A9. In RGB, that's rgb(169, 169, 169).