Home /Compare /Dark Gray vs Grey

Dark Gray vs Grey: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Dark Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Dark Gray is lighter. Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 66%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.

Dark Gray#A9A9A9
Grey#808080
#A9A9A9Blended: #959595#808080

Dark Gray vs Grey: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Dark Gray Grey
BrightnessLight (L=66%) — airy, soft, approachableMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrained
Hue familyGrayGray
TemperatureNeutralNeutral
Hex code#A9A9A9#808080
RGB169, 169, 169128, 128, 128

Can you use Dark Gray and Grey together?

Grey text on Dark Gray
Dark Gray text on Grey
Contrast Ratio:1.68:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Dark Gray and Grey Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Dark Gray is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Dark Gray vs Grey in Design

Use Dark Gray for:
●Backgrounds and UI chrome
●Professional corporate design
●Minimalist and modern brands
●Text and secondary elements
●Architectural neutrals
Use Grey for:
●Backgrounds and UI chrome
●Professional corporate design
●Minimalist and modern brands
●Text and secondary elements
●Architectural neutrals

Dark Gray and Grey Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Dark Gray#A9A9A9

Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) is a light, near-neutral gray with a neutral undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and desaturated and restrained.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Grey#808080

Grey (#808080) is a medium, near-neutral gray with a neutral undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and desaturated and restrained.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Dark Gray and Grey WCAG Contrast Ratios

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.

Sample text preview
Dark Gray text on white
2.35:1Fail
Sample text preview
Dark Gray text on black
8.94:1AAA
Sample text preview
Grey text on white
3.95:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Grey text on black
5.32:1AA
Sample text preview
Dark Gray text on Grey
1.68:1Fail
Sample text preview
Grey text on Dark Gray
1.68:1Fail

Explore Dark Gray and Grey individually

Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.

Grey color page#808080 · shades, tints, pairings

More Dark Gray and Grey Comparisons

RedvsGreyGrayvsGreyRustvsGreyWinevsGreyRubyvsGreyTaupevsGreyBlackvsGreyBrownvsGreyGreyvsSilverCoppervsGreyGarnetvsGreyGreigevsGrey

Dark Gray vs Grey FAQ

What is the difference between dark gray and grey?+
The main difference between Dark Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Dark Gray is lighter. Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 66%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.
Is dark gray darker than grey?+
No. Grey is the darker of the two at 50% lightness, while Dark Gray sits higher at 66%.
Are dark gray and grey the same color?+
No. Dark Gray is #A9A9A9 and Grey is #808080. They differ by 0° in hue, 16% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, dark gray or grey?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Dark Gray at 0% and Grey at 0% in HSL.
Is dark gray warm or cool?+
Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) is a neutral gray. Its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, which places it in the neutral range.
Is grey warm or cool?+
Grey (#808080) is a neutral gray. Its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, which places it in the neutral range.
Can you use dark gray and grey together?+
Yes. Both dark gray and grey are gray shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use grey as the dominant color and dark gray as the accent or highlight.
What color family does dark gray belong to?+
Dark Gray belongs to the gray family. Its HSL is 0°, 0%, 66% — a neutral tone within the broader gray group.
What is the hex code for dark gray?+
The hex code for Dark Gray is #A9A9A9. In RGB, that's rgb(169, 169, 169), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 0%, 66%).
What is the hex code for grey?+
The hex code for Grey is #808080. In RGB, that's rgb(128, 128, 128), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 0%, 50%).