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Light Gray vs Grey: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Light Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Light Gray is lighter. Light Gray (#D3D3D3) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 83%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.

Light Gray#D3D3D3
Grey#808080
#D3D3D3Blended: #AAAAAA#808080

Light Gray vs Grey: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Light Gray Grey
BrightnessVery light (L=83%) — pale, delicate, gentleMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrainedNear-neutral (S=0%) — desaturated and restrained
Hue familyGrayGray
TemperatureNeutralNeutral
Hex code#D3D3D3#808080
RGB211, 211, 211128, 128, 128

Can you use Light Gray and Grey together?

Grey text on Light Gray
Light Gray text on Grey
Contrast Ratio:2.64:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Light Gray and Grey Apart

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

When to Use Light Gray vs Grey in Design

Use Light 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

Light Gray and Grey Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Light Gray#D3D3D3

Light Gray (#D3D3D3) is a very light, near-neutral gray with a neutral undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle 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

Light 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
Light Gray text on white
1.5:1Fail
Sample text preview
Light Gray text on black
14.03:1AAA
Sample text preview
Grey text on white
3.95:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Grey text on black
5.32:1AA
Sample text preview
Light Gray text on Grey
2.64:1Fail
Sample text preview
Grey text on Light Gray
2.64:1Fail

Explore Light 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 Light Gray and Grey Comparisons

RedvsGreyGrayvsGreyRustvsGreyWinevsGreyRubyvsGreyTaupevsGreyBlackvsGreyBrownvsGreyGreyvsSilverCoppervsGreyGarnetvsGreyGreigevsGrey

Light Gray vs Grey FAQ

What is the difference between light gray and grey?+
The main difference between Light Gray and Grey is brightness and saturation: both are gray shades, but Light Gray is lighter. Light Gray (#D3D3D3) has an HSL of 0°, 0%, 83%, whereas Grey (#808080) sits at 0°, 0%, 50%.
Is light gray darker than grey?+
No. Grey is the darker of the two at 50% lightness, while Light Gray sits higher at 83%.
Are light gray and grey the same color?+
No. Light Gray is #D3D3D3 and Grey is #808080. They differ by 0° in hue, 33% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, light gray or grey?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Light Gray at 0% and Grey at 0% in HSL.
Is light gray warm or cool?+
Light Gray (#D3D3D3) 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 light gray and grey together?+
Yes. Both light gray and grey are gray shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use grey as the dominant color and light gray as the accent or highlight.
What color family does light gray belong to?+
Light Gray belongs to the gray family. Its HSL is 0°, 0%, 83% — a neutral tone within the broader gray group.
What is the hex code for light gray?+
The hex code for Light Gray is #D3D3D3. In RGB, that's rgb(211, 211, 211), and in HSL it's hsl(0, 0%, 83%).
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%).