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Dim Gray vs Grey: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Dim Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Grey is lighter. Dim Gray (#696969) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 41%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.

Dim Gray#696969
Grey#808080
#696969Blended: #757575#808080

Dim Gray vs Grey: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Dim Gray Grey
BrightnessMedium (L=41%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrained
Hue familyGrayGray
TemperatureNeutralNeutral
Hex code#696969#808080
RGB105, 105, 105128, 128, 128

Can you use Dim Gray and Grey together?

Grey text on Dim Gray
Dim Gray text on Grey
Contrast Ratio:1.39:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Dim Gray and Grey Apart

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

When to Use Dim Gray vs Grey in Design

Use Dim 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

Dim Gray and Grey 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
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

Dim 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
Dim Gray text on white
5.49:1AA
Sample text preview
Dim Gray text on black
3.83:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Grey text on white
3.95:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Grey text on black
5.32:1AA
Sample text preview
Dim Gray text on Grey
1.39:1Fail
Sample text preview
Grey text on Dim Gray
1.39:1Fail

Explore Dim 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 Dim Gray and Grey Comparisons

RedvsGreyDim GrayvsWineGrayvsGreyDim GrayvsGarnetRustvsGreyWinevsGreyRubyvsGreyTaupevsGreyBlackvsGreyBrownvsGreyGreyvsSilverCoppervsGrey

Dim Gray vs Grey FAQ

What is the difference between dim gray and grey?+
The main difference between Dim Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Grey is lighter. Dim Gray (#696969) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 41%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.
Is dim gray darker than grey?+
Yes. Dim Gray is darker, with a lightness of 41% in HSL compared to Grey at 50% — a 9-point gap.
Are dim gray and grey the same color?+
No. Dim Gray is #696969 and Grey is #808080. They differ by 0° in hue, 9% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, dim gray or grey?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Dim Gray at 0% and Grey at 0% in HSL.
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 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 dim gray and grey together?+
Yes. Both dim gray and grey are gray shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use dim gray as the dominant color and grey as the accent or highlight.
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 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%).