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Gray vs Smoke: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Gray and Smoke is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but they share similar brightness and Smoke is more saturated. Gray and Smoke are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Gray (#808080) and Smoke (#738276) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Gray#808080
Smoke#738276
#808080Blended: #7A817B#738276
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Gray vs Smoke: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Gray Smoke
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=48%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedNear-neutral (S=6%) — desaturated and restrained
Hue familyGrayGray
TemperatureNeutralNeutral
Hex code#808080#738276
RGB128, 128, 128115, 130, 118

Can you use Gray and Smoke together?

Smoke text on Gray
Gray text on Smoke
Contrast Ratio:1.03:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Gray and Smoke Apart

  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 132° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Gray or Smoke: Which to Use and Where

Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

◆Branding & logos
PickSmoke

Smoke is more saturated (6% HSL vs 0%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Gray can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickSmoke

Smoke hits a 4.05:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Gray only reaches 3.95:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickGray

Gray is a cool-leaning tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Smoke leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

▣Interior design & walls
PickGray

Gray is the more muted of the two (0% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Smoke's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Gray vs Smoke in Design

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

Gray and Smoke 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
Smoke#738276

Smoke (#738276) 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 Smoke 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
Smoke text on white
4.05:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Smoke text on black
5.18:1AA
Sample text preview
Gray text on Smoke
1.03:1Fail
Sample text preview
Smoke text on Gray
1.03:1Fail

Explore Gray and Smoke individually

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

Gray color page#808080 · shades, tints, pairings

More Gray and Smoke Comparisons

AshvsGraySmokevsAshGrayvsAshAshvsSmokeNavyvsGrayPinkvsGraySilvervsSmokeGrayvsGreySmokevsPewterTaupevsGraySmokevsDove GrayStonevsGray

Gray vs Smoke FAQ

What is the difference between gray and smoke?+
The main difference between Gray and Smoke is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but they share similar brightness and Smoke is more saturated. Gray and Smoke are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Gray (#808080) and Smoke (#738276) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is gray darker than smoke?+
No, they're nearly the same brightness. Gray sits at 50% lightness and Smoke at 48% — the difference is only 2 percentage points.
Are gray and smoke the same color?+
No. Gray is #808080 and Smoke is #738276. They differ by 132° in hue, 2% in lightness, and 6% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, gray or smoke?+
Smoke is more saturated. In HSL, Gray has 0% saturation and Smoke has 6% — Smoke is the more vivid of the two, while Gray reads as more muted.
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 smoke warm or cool?+
Smoke (#738276) is a neutral gray. Its hue sits at 132° on the color wheel, which places it in the neutral range.
Can you use gray and smoke together?+
Yes. Both gray and smoke are gray shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use smoke 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 smoke?+
The hex code for Smoke is #738276. In RGB, that's rgb(115, 130, 118), and in HSL it's hsl(132, 6%, 48%).