Black Color: HEX Code, RGB and Meaning
Black is the darkest possible color: on a screen it is simply no light at all.
HEX is one common value Last updated:
#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)hsl(0, 0%, 0%)cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%)Color definitions vary by source. The HEX above is one common value for "black" from the open color-name-list dataset, not an official standard. CMYK is a simple conversion; printed results depend on ink and paper.
What black means
Black does two jobs that pull in different directions. It can be formal, powerful and sophisticated, and it can also be heavy, secretive or somber. Which reading you get depends almost entirely on what surrounds it and how it is used.
Because black absorbs rather than reflects, it makes other colors look more vivid and shapes look sharper. Designers use it as the strongest contrast available, and as the quietest background for anything that needs to glow.
Tints and shades of black
Lighter tints are made by mixing with white and darker shades by mixing with black. Click a swatch to copy its HEX.
Black color palettes
Black is close to neutral, so it has little hue of its own. The partner colors below borrow a 220° hue at muted saturation; treat them as starting points.
Complementary
Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel: the strongest contrast.
Analogous
Three neighbors on the wheel: a smooth, low-contrast scheme.
Triadic
Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel: lively but balanced.
Colors that go with black
- White (#FFFFFF): The highest contrast pair there is.
- Gold (#FFD700): A confident, formal combination.
- Red (#FF0000): Dramatic and bold.
- Blush (#F29E8E): Softens black without losing its edge.
Similar named colors
Where black is used
- Fashion. A black jacket, dress or pair of boots is the default for formal and evening dress, and it is also a staple of minimalist everyday wardrobes. It hides marks, though cheap black fabric fades noticeably with washing.
- Interiors. Black frames, hardware and light fixtures give a room definition. Painting a whole wall black works best in rooms with generous light or when a cocooning look is wanted.
- Branding. Luxury, fashion, tech and editorial brands use black to look serious and premium. Black text on white remains the highest-contrast choice for reading.
Black vs ebony
The black shown here is pure zero: red, green and blue all off. Ebony is a very dark color that is a hair lighter and cooler, so it shows slight detail where black swallows it.
On a real object, pure black is almost impossible to achieve, so what people call black is often a very dark gray. On screens, pure black can look harsh next to bright white, which is why many interfaces choose a near-black instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is black a color?
In everyday use, yes. Scientifically, black is the absence of visible light, and as a pigment it is the result of absorbing nearly all of it.
What does black symbolize?
Elegance, power, formality and mourning are common associations in many cultures, though meanings differ by place and occasion.
What is the HEX code for black?
#000000 is the common value, meaning no red, green or blue light. This is one of the few color values that nearly every source agrees on.
What colors go with black?
Almost anything. White is the sharpest partner, metals feel luxurious, and bright colors look vivid against it.