The main difference between Gunmetal and Charcoal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Charcoal is lighter. Gunmetal and Charcoal are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Gunmetal (#2A3439) and Charcoal (#36454F) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.
Charcoal is more saturated (19% HSL vs 15%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Gunmetal can feel washed out when printed small.
Gunmetal hits a 12.74:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Charcoal only reaches 9.90:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Charcoal is a cool-leaning tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Gunmetal leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.
Gunmetal is the more muted of the two (15% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Charcoal's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a very dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and subdued, sophisticated.
Charcoal (#36454F) is a dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.
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.
Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.