Charcoal grey is a neutral colour that falls between black and white on the colour spectrum. It is a very dark shade of grey that has a blackened undertone. So in that sense, yes charcoal grey can certainly be considered a dark colour. However, there are some key factors to consider when determining if charcoal grey qualifies as a truly ‘dark’ colour or not.
In this article, we will explore what defines a dark colour, look at the traits and properties of charcoal grey, and analyse how it compares to other dark neutrals like black, brown and navy. By the end, you should have a clear answer to the question “Is charcoal grey a dark colour?”.
Defining Dark Colours
When categorising colour into ‘light’ and ‘dark’, what we are really looking at is the tone or shade of the colour. Darker colours have low luminance, meaning they reflect little light compared to lighter colours with high luminance that reflect a lot of light.
The hue refers to where the colour falls on the visible spectrum. All colours can be made into different shades. For example red can be bright cherry red or dark burgundy red. When a colour is shaded to be very low in luminance, we call it a dark colour.
Black, brown, navy, forest green, burgundy are all examples of dark colours. They absorb a lot of light and have a moody, somber tone to them. Lighter colours like white, beige, light blue, are high luminance colours that come across as more uplifting.
So in summary, dark colours are shaded or toned versions of any hue that have very low luminance and absorb a lot of light instead of reflecting it. This creates a brooding, mysterious aesthetic.
Traits of Charcoal Grey
Now that we understand how dark colours are defined, we can take a closer look at the specific traits of charcoal grey:
Tone
– Charcoal grey is inherently low in luminance. It absorbs a lot of light and reflects very little of it. This puts it firmly into dark colour territory.
Shade
– It is an extremely dark shade of grey, shaded almost to black. Unlike lighter greys, it has a blackened quality rather than a hint of lightness.
Temperature
– Charcoal grey is considered a cool neutral. However, it still feels warmer than stark black because of its slight blue undertone.
Mood
– The darkness of charcoal grey gives it a serious, elegant, and mysterious mood. Its somberness creates an intimate feel.
Contrast
– Charcoal grey has extremely high contrast when paired with light colours like white, beige or grey. Its darkness really pops against lighter tones.
Based on these innate properties of charcoal grey, it is evident that it easily fulfills the criteria of a dark colour. Its low luminance tone coupled with its shaded blackness and high contrast situates it safely in the realm of deep, bold colours.
Comparing Charcoal Grey to Other Dark Colours
To further illustrate charcoal grey’s status as a dark colour, it is helpful to compare it against other renowned dark neutrals. Black, brown and navy are colours that universally qualify as rich, dark shades. So let’s see how charcoal grey stacks up against them.
| Colour | Luminance | Shade Depth | Temperature | Mood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Extremely low | Extremely dark | Neutral | Strong, bold |
| Brown | Very low | Very dark | Warm | Earthy, stable |
| Navy | Very low | Very dark | Cool | Confident, professional |
| Charcoal Grey | Very low | Extremely dark | Slightly cool | Sleek, sophisticated |
Looking at this comparison, charcoal grey has similar depth of shade and low luminance as the other three dark neutrals. It is an extremely dark colour, on par with black in its shading while still retaining a hint of grey rather than being a true neutral black.
Its somber elegance gives it a comparable moody effect to the bold strength of black, the earthy stability of brown and the sleek professionalism of navy. Overall, charcoal grey fits right in with these other undisputed dark colours.
Conclusion
So in summary – yes, charcoal grey absolutely qualifies as a dark colour. Its extremely low luminance reflects minimal light while its near-black shading absorbs light, giving it a brooding dark tone. When compared to similar ubiquitous dark neutrals, charcoal grey matches up in depth of shade and moody effect.
The rich elegance and sophisticated edge of charcoal grey situates it firmly alongside black, brown and navy as a premier dark neutral colour. Its dramatic high contrast and somber mood make a statement and allow it to stand out crisply when paired with lighter accents.
So while charcoal grey is a shade of grey, it is so deeply shaded that it transcends into the realm of deep, bold dark colours. It retains just enough grey undertone to distinguish it from true black – but otherwise, charcoal grey exemplifies the definition of a refined, subtle dark colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is charcoal grey darker than navy?
Charcoal grey and navy are very close in depth of shade. Navy may be slightly darker as it has blue undertones whereas charcoal grey maintains more neutral grey undertones. But they are comparable as two of the darkest, moody neutrals.
What colours does charcoal grey go with?
Charcoal grey goes well with lighter, brighter colours like white, light grey, beige, soft yellow and blue. It creates a striking high contrast look. Black, brown and navy also complement charcoal nicely as fellow dark neutrals.
Is charcoal grey warm or cool?
Charcoal grey is considered a cool-neutral colour. It has subtle blue undertones that give it a slightly cooler tone compared to true neutral greys. It is not as starkly cool as a navy blue, but still leans cooler than grey with warm undertones.
What colours make up charcoal grey?
There are a few different colour mixes that can create charcoal grey. But in general, it has a strong black base and smaller amounts of blue and purple pigment. The blue casts a slightly cool aura while the purple brings depth. Different amounts of these colours alter the tone.
Is charcoal grey in for 2023?
Charcoal grey is predicted to be a popular neutral colour for 2023. Its classic, muted tone provides an elegant backdrop that lets bolder colours pop. Charcoal grey’s refinement and subtle moodiness make it a sophisticated choice for modern spaces.
The Takeaway
Charcoal grey’s extreme depth of shade coupled with its low luminance and high contrast situate it squarely in the realm of dark colours. It has a comparable rich elegance and moodiness as fellow top dark neutral colours black, brown and navy. So for those looking to make a bold statement with a darkened neutral that retains subtle grey complexity, charcoal grey is an optimal choice.
