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Dim Gray vs Garnet: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Dim Gray and Garnet is hue — Dim Gray is a neutral gray, while Garnet is a warm red. Dim Gray (#696969) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 41%, whereas Garnet (#733635) sits at 1°, 37%, 33%.

Dim Gray#696969
Garnet#733635
#696969Blended: #6E504F#733635

Dim Gray vs Garnet: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Dim Gray Garnet
BrightnessMedium (L=41%) — balanced, versatileDark (L=33%) — rich, serious, substantial
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedMuted (S=37%) — subdued, sophisticated
Hue familyGrayRed
TemperatureNeutralWarm
Hex code#696969#733635
RGB105, 105, 105115, 54, 53

Can you use Dim Gray and Garnet together?

Garnet text on Dim Gray
Dim Gray text on Garnet
Contrast Ratio:1.66:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Dim Gray and Garnet Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Dim Gray is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Garnet looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Dim Gray vs Garnet in Design

Use Dim Gray for:
●Backgrounds and UI chrome
●Professional corporate design
●Minimalist and modern brands
●Text and secondary elements
●Architectural neutrals
Use Garnet for:
●Alerts, errors, stop states
●Sale & promotion banners
●Food and beverage packaging
●Sports and energy branding
●Romantic & bold fashion

Dim Gray and Garnet Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Dim Gray#696969

Dim Gray (#696969) is a medium, near-neutral gray with a neutral undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and desaturated and restrained.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Garnet#733635

Garnet (#733635) is a dark, muted red with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Dim Gray and Garnet 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
Dim Gray text on white
5.49:1AA
Sample text preview
Dim Gray text on black
3.83:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Garnet text on white
9.1:1AAA
Sample text preview
Garnet text on black
2.31:1Fail
Sample text preview
Dim Gray text on Garnet
1.66:1Fail
Sample text preview
Garnet text on Dim Gray
1.66:1Fail

Explore Dim Gray and Garnet individually

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

Garnet color page#733635 · shades, tints, pairings

More Dim Gray and Garnet Comparisons

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Dim Gray vs Garnet FAQ

What is the difference between dim gray and garnet?+
The main difference between Dim Gray and Garnet is hue — Dim Gray is a neutral gray, while Garnet is a warm red. Dim Gray (#696969) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 41%, whereas Garnet (#733635) sits at 1°, 37%, 33%.
Is dim gray darker than garnet?+
No. Garnet is the darker of the two at 33% lightness, while Dim Gray sits higher at 41%.
Are dim gray and garnet the same color?+
No. Dim Gray is #696969 and Garnet is #733635. They differ by 1° in hue, 8% in lightness, and 37% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, dim gray or garnet?+
Garnet is more saturated. In HSL, Dim Gray has 0% saturation and Garnet has 37% — Garnet is the more vivid of the two, while Dim Gray reads as more muted.
Is dim gray warm or cool?+
Dim Gray (#696969) is a neutral gray. Its hue sits at 0° on the color wheel, which places it in the neutral range.
Is garnet warm or cool?+
Garnet (#733635) is a warm red. Its hue sits at 1° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use dim gray and garnet together?+
Yes. Dim Gray (gray) and Garnet (red) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does dim gray belong to?+
Dim Gray belongs to the gray family. Its HSL is 0°, 0%, 41% — a neutral tone within the broader gray group.
What is the hex code for dim gray?+
The hex code for Dim Gray is #696969. In RGB, that's rgb(105, 105, 105), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 0%, 41%).
What is the hex code for garnet?+
The hex code for Garnet is #733635. In RGB, that's rgb(115, 54, 53), and in HSL it's hsl(1, 37%, 33%).