The main difference between Charcoal and Gunmetal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Charcoal is lighter. Charcoal (#36454F) and Gunmetal (#2A3439) are similar colors often confused. They differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone, making each better suited for different design contexts.
Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.
Charcoal is more saturated (19% HSL vs 15%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Gunmetal can feel washed out when printed small.
Gunmetal hits a 12.74:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Charcoal only reaches 9.90:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Charcoal is a cool-leaning tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Gunmetal leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Gunmetal is the more muted of the two (15% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Charcoal's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Charcoal (#36454F) is a dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.
Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a very dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and subdued, sophisticated.
Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.
Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.