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Slate Grey vs Gunmetal: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Slate Grey and Gunmetal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Slate Grey is lighter. Slate Grey (#708090) has an HSL of 210°, 13%, 50%, whereas Gunmetal (#2A3439) sits at 200°, 15%, 19%.

Slate Grey#708090
Gunmetal#2A3439
#708090Blended: #4D5A65#2A3439

Slate Grey vs Gunmetal: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Slate Grey Gunmetal
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileVery dark (L=19%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationNear-neutral (S=13%) — desaturated and restrainedMuted (S=15%) — subdued, sophisticated
Hue familyBlueBlue
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#708090#2A3439
RGB112, 128, 14442, 52, 57

Can you use Slate Grey and Gunmetal together?

Gunmetal text on Slate Grey
Slate Grey text on Gunmetal
Contrast Ratio:3.14:1Large Text Only

How to Tell Slate Grey and Gunmetal Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Slate Grey is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 10° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Slate Grey vs Gunmetal in Design

Use Slate Grey for:
●Tech and corporate trust
●Finance and banking brands
●Links and primary buttons
●Medical and professional UI
●Calm dependable visuals
Use Gunmetal for:
●Tech and corporate trust
●Finance and banking brands
●Links and primary buttons
●Medical and professional UI
●Calm dependable visuals

Slate Grey and Gunmetal Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Slate Grey#708090

Slate Grey (#708090) is a medium, near-neutral blue with a cool undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and desaturated and restrained.

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HSV
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PANTONE
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Gunmetal#2A3439

Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a very dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and subdued, sophisticated.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
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PANTONE
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Tints

Slate Grey and Gunmetal 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
Slate Grey text on white
4.05:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Slate Grey text on black
5.18:1AA
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on white
12.74:1AAA
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on black
1.65:1Fail
Sample text preview
Slate Grey text on Gunmetal
3.14:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on Slate Grey
3.14:1AA Large

Explore Slate Grey and Gunmetal individually

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

Slate Grey color page#708090 · shades, tints, pairingsGunmetal color page#2A3439 · shades, tints, pairings

More Slate Grey and Gunmetal Comparisons

Slate GreyvsPewterGunmetalvsBlackCharcoalvsSlate GreyGunmetalvsSlatePewtervsGunmetalSlate GreyvsSky BlueCharcoalvsGunmetalBaby BluevsSlate GreyGunmetalvsCharcoalNavy BluevsSlate GreyGunmetalvsCeruleanSlate GrayvsSlate Grey

Slate Grey vs Gunmetal FAQ

What is the difference between slate grey and gunmetal?+
The main difference between Slate Grey and Gunmetal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Slate Grey is lighter. Slate Grey (#708090) has an HSL of 210°, 13%, 50%, whereas Gunmetal (#2A3439) sits at 200°, 15%, 19%.
Is slate grey darker than gunmetal?+
No. Gunmetal is the darker of the two at 19% lightness, while Slate Grey sits higher at 50%.
Are slate grey and gunmetal the same color?+
No. Slate Grey is #708090 and Gunmetal is #2A3439. They differ by 10° in hue, 31% in lightness, and 2% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, slate grey or gunmetal?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Slate Grey at 13% and Gunmetal at 15% in HSL.
Is slate grey warm or cool?+
Slate Grey (#708090) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 210° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Is gunmetal warm or cool?+
Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 200° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use slate grey and gunmetal together?+
Yes. Both slate grey and gunmetal are blue shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use gunmetal as the dominant color and slate grey as the accent or highlight.
What color family does slate grey belong to?+
Slate Grey belongs to the blue family. Its HSL is 210°, 13%, 50% — a cool tone within the broader blue group.
What is the hex code for slate grey?+
The hex code for Slate Grey is #708090. In RGB, that's rgb(112, 128, 144), and in HSL it's hsl(210, 13%, 50%).
What is the hex code for gunmetal?+
The hex code for Gunmetal is #2A3439. In RGB, that's rgb(42, 52, 57), and in HSL it's hsl(200, 15%, 19%).