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Gray vs Grey: What's the Difference?

Gray and Grey are the same color in RGB — both are #808080. Any difference is in the name alone. Gray (#808080) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 50%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.

Gray#808080
Grey#808080
#808080Blended: #808080#808080

Gray vs Grey: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Gray Grey
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrained
Hue familyGrayGray
TemperatureNeutralNeutral
Hex code#808080#808080
RGB128, 128, 128128, 128, 128

Can you use Gray and Grey together?

Grey text on Gray
Gray text on Grey
Contrast Ratio:1.00:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Gray and Grey Apart

  • ●These two are very close numerically. Place them side-by-side on a neutral background to spot the subtle undertone difference.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Gray vs Grey in Design

Use 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

Gray and Grey Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Gray#808080

Gray (#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
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

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
Gray text on white
3.95:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Gray text on black
5.32:1AA
Sample text preview
Grey text on white
3.95:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Grey text on black
5.32:1AA
Sample text preview
Gray text on Grey
1:1Fail
Sample text preview
Grey text on Gray
1:1Fail

Explore Gray and Grey individually

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

Gray color page#808080 · shades, tints, pairingsGrey color page#808080 · shades, tints, pairings

More Gray and Grey Comparisons

AshvsGrayRedvsGreyGrayvsAshNavyvsGrayRustvsGreyPinkvsGrayWinevsGreyRubyvsGreyTaupevsGrayTaupevsGreyStonevsGrayBlackvsGrey

Gray vs Grey FAQ

What is the difference between gray and grey?+
Gray and Grey are the same color in RGB — both are #808080. Any difference is in the name alone. Gray (#808080) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 50%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.
Is gray darker than grey?+
No. Gray and Grey are the same color — both are #808080 with a lightness of 50% in HSL.
Are gray and grey the same color?+
Yes. Gray and Grey share the same hex code (#808080) and the same RGB values — they are the same color under different names.
Which is more saturated, gray or grey?+
Neither — both colors share the same saturation of 0% because they have the same hex code.
Is gray warm or cool?+
Gray (#808080) 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 gray and grey together?+
Yes. Both gray and grey are gray shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use grey as the dominant color and gray as the accent or highlight.
What color family does gray belong to?+
Gray belongs to the gray family. Its HSL is 0°, 0%, 50% — a neutral tone within the broader gray group.
What is the hex code for gray?+
The hex code for Gray is #808080. In RGB, that's rgb(128, 128, 128), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 0%, 50%).
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%).