Grey Color: HEX Code, RGB and Meaning
Grey, also spelled gray, is a neutral made of equal parts black and white, with no hue of its own.
HEX is one common value Last updated:
#808080rgb(128, 128, 128)hsl(0, 0%, 50%)cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%)Color definitions vary by source. The HEX above is one common value for "grey" from the open color-name-list dataset, not an official standard. CMYK is a simple conversion; printed results depend on ink and paper.
What grey means
Grey is the color of balance and restraint. It is neither warm nor cool in itself, so it takes on the mood of whatever sits beside it. People associate it with calm, practicality and professionalism, and also, at times, with dullness or indecision.
Lighter greys feel airy and modern; darker greys feel serious and sheltered.
Tints and shades of grey
Lighter tints are made by mixing with white and darker shades by mixing with black. Click a swatch to copy its HEX.
Grey color palettes
Grey is close to neutral, so it has little hue of its own. The partner colors below borrow a 210° 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 grey
- Burnt Orange (#CC5500): A warm accent against neutral grey.
- Navy Blue (#000080): A sophisticated pairing.
- Blush (#F29E8E): Soft and modern.
- Yellow (#FFFF00): A bright, energetic contrast.
Similar named colors
Where grey is used
- Fashion. Grey is a basic in suits, sweatshirts, denim and coats. It is an easy alternative to black that still goes with everything.
- Interiors. It suits walls, floors and furniture as a neutral base. Warm greys feel cozy; cool greys feel crisp.
- Branding. Technology, finance and industrial brands use grey for competence and neutrality.
Grey vs silver
Silver is a lighter grey that suggests the sheen of metal. In flat color, silver is paler than mid-grey and often a little cooler.
On screen there is no real metallic effect, so silver is simply a light grey. In print and product design, silver implies shine, while grey is flat and matte.
Frequently asked questions
Is it grey or gray?
Both are correct. Gray is more common in American English and grey in British English.
What colors make grey?
Mixing black and white gives grey. You can also mix complementary colors, such as red and green, to get a neutral grey.
Is grey a warm or cool color?
Neutral grey is neither, but greys with blue tones feel cool and those with brown tones feel warm.
What does the color grey mean?
It is commonly linked to neutrality, calm and professionalism.