Quick Answer
Gunmetal gray is a dark gray color with a slight blueish or greenish tint. It’s often described as being a dark, desaturated shade of blue-gray. The name comes from the color of gun metal, which refers to the gray color of metal used in manufacturing firearms. Gunmetal gray has an urban, utilitarian feel and gives off an industrial vibe. It’s commonly used for technology products, automobiles, tools, and other mechanical items. Overall, gunmetal gray is a mature, sophisticated neutral that works well in modern, masculine settings.
What Is Gunmetal Gray?
Gunmetal gray is a dark gray color that has a cool blue, green, or black tint to it. It sits between black and blue-gray on the color wheel. The first recorded use of “gunmetal” as a color name in English was in the early 20th century.
Gunmetal gray is called such because it resembles the color of actual gun metal. Gun metal refers to the steel alloys that have historically been used in the manufacturing of firearms. When polished, these metals take on a dark charcoal gray color with subtle hints of blue, green, or black.
Over time, this distinctive gray metallic color has been reproduced in paints, plastics, fabrics, and other materials. It continues to be called gunmetal gray as a nod to its origins.
What Are the Hex, RGB, and CMYK Codes for Gunmetal Gray?
Here are some of the common hexadecimal, RGB, and CMYK color codes used to represent gunmetal gray in design programs:
| Hex Code | #2C3539 |
| RGB Code | R: 44 G: 53 B: 57 |
| CMYK Code | C: 75 M: 60 Y: 57 K: 57 |
These codes can vary slightly based on the specific gunmetal gray shade being reproduced. But most gunmetal grays fall within this general range.
What Are Characteristics of Gunmetal Gray?
Here are some key characteristics and descriptions of the color gunmetal gray:
– Dark, desaturated gray with a blueish-green tint
– Slightly darker than medium gray
– Has a cool, subdued tone
– Gives an industrial, mechanical vibe
– Masculine and utilitarian looking
– Visually similar to colors like slate gray and steel gray
– Works well with contrasting oranges and yellows
– Goes nicely with black, white, blue, and taupe
How Dark Is Gunmetal Gray?
Gunmetal gray is distinctly darker than mid-tone grays like medium gray. It sits around the 20-35% lightness range, compared to medium gray which is around 50%.
However, gunmetal isn’t a true dark gray either. It falls short of being a charcoal gray and has more lightness than dark tin gray. Gunmetal strikes a balance of being moderately-dark while maintaining enough lightness to avoid looking muddy.
Here’s a look at where gunmetal gray fits on a general lightness scale:
| 0% | Black |
| 20-35% | Gunmetal Gray |
| 50% | Medium Gray |
| 80% | Light Gray |
| 100% | White |
So while not a truly light or dark gray, it sits on the deeper, richer end of the gray spectrum.
How Does Gunmetal Gray Compare to Other Grays?
Here’s how gunmetal gray stacks up against some other popular gray shades:
– Lighter than charcoal gray
– Darker and more saturated than medium gray
– Less green than sage gray
– Less brown than taupe gray
– Not as vivid as blue-gray
– Warmer than steel gray
The main grays that gunmetal can sometimes be confused with are slate gray and steel gray, since all three are dark cool grays. But gunmetal is slightly warmer and more muted than steel gray. And it lacks the purple undertone that slate gray often has.
What Colors Go Well with Gunmetal Gray?
Gunmetal gray is extremely versatile and pairs nicely with many colors. Here are some of the best color combinations:
– Black: Gunmetal + black gives an edgy, sophisticated look.
– White: This contrast pops and makes gunmetal seem extra sleek.
– Orange: Vibrant orange contrasts dramatically against dark gunmetal.
– Yellow: Gunmetal’s coolness balances out bright, warm yellows.
– Blue: Different shades of blue – from navy to aqua – complement gunmetal well.
– Green: Earthy greens work nicely with gunmetal’s subtle green undertones.
– Brown: Rich browns like espresso, tan, or bronze add warmth.
– Red: Scarlet red pops against gunmetal, maroon adds sophistication.
– Purple: Gunmetal makes light purples like lilac pop and deep purples richer.
– Pink: From blush to fuchsia, soft pinks offset gunmetal’s hardness.
In general, lighter, brighter, warmer colors create the biggest visual contrast and vibrancy against gunmetal gray. But this versatile neutral goes with almost anything.
What Skin Tones Does Gunmetal Gray Flatter?
Gunmetal gray is versatile enough to flatter most skin tones. Here are some tips for wearing it based on your complexion:
– Fair skin: Gunmetal creates nice contrast on very light skin. Avoid matching it with other cool-toned grays.
– Light/medium skin: Gunmetal flatters those with light warm undertones or olive complexions.
– Tan skin: Warmer tan and brown skin tones make gunmetal pop. Pair with autumnal colors.
– Dark skin: Gunmetal complements rich dark skin while providing sophistication. Mix with jewel tones.
– Cool skin: Those with pinkish undertones can easily wear gunmetal but should avoid similar cool grays.
– Warm skin: Gunmetal’s warmth works for those with yellow/peach undertones as long as the shades are mixed up.
The key is choosing the right hues, tones, and contrasts to complement your complexion. But most people can pull off gunmetal nicely.
How Is Gunmetal Gray Used in Fashion?
Gunmetal gray has a variety of fashion applications:
– **Men’s Suits:** A gunmetal gray suit paired with a white shirt gives a sharp, refined business look.
– **Women’s Workwear:** Gunmetal pants, skirts, blazers, and dresses convey professional polish.
– **Winter Coats:** Both mens’ and womens’ gunmetal winter coats look sleek and stylish.
– **Jeans:** Gunmetal colored denim provides an alternative to traditional blue jeans.
– **Handbags:** Gunmetal purses and totes have an edgy, modern vibe.
– **Shoes:** Gunmetal leather boots, loafers, and oxfords are on-trend footwear options.
– **Jewelry:** Gunmetal watches, cuff links, rings, earrings, and necklaces appear upscale.
– **Nails:** Gunmetal polish or nail art creates a dark, vampy manicure/pedicure.
How Is Gunmetal Gray Used in Home Décor?
Gunmetal gray brings an urbane, sophisticated look to modern home interiors. Here are some popular ways it’s used in home décor:
– Walls: As a solid wall color or modern gray accent wall. Often paired with orange as an accent.
– Furniture: Gunmetal upholstery or finishes on armchairs, headboards, sofas, etc.
– Bedding: Add depth with gunmetal sheets, pillows, throws and duvet covers. White sheets pop against it.
– Window treatments: Drapes, curtains, roman blinds in rich gunmetal gray fabrics.
– Kitchen décor: Mix it into appliances, cabinets, island, barstools and shelves. Keep things like utensils bright.
– Bathroom décor: Gunmetal walls, shower tiles, sinks, faucets and hardware provide an urban spa vibe.
– Lighting: Use on lamp bases, overhead fixtures, and pendant lights.
– Accessories: Rugs, pillows, vases, baskets, bowls, and trays in gunmetal tones.
It creates an eye-catching, bold backdrop when used in larger quantities. But also works nicely for accent details and accessories.
How Is Gunmetal Gray Used in Logos and Branding?
Gunmetal gray evokes feelings of strength, reliability, and durability. This makes it a popular color choice for logos, especially for automotive, industrial, tech, and other rugged modern brands.
Some examples of well-known brands using gunmetal gray in their logos include:
– Jeep
– Ferrari
– Ford
– Samsung
– Dolce & Gabbana
– Caterpillar
– Tour de France
– Callaway Golf
– 3M
– Steelcase
It provides the sophisticated, masculine look these brands aim for. When used for text, gunmetal gray offers good contrast against both light and dark backgrounds too.
How Does Gunmetal Gray Make People Feel?
Gunmetal gray creates the following psychological and emotional impacts:
– Strength: Gunmetal is a symbol of resilience and fortitude.
– Reliability: The color conveys dependability and trustworthiness.
– Security: Gunmetal evokes feelings of safety and reassurance.
– Practicality: It gives off a pragmatic, solution-oriented vibe.
– Maturity: Gunmetal has a grounded, timeless sophistication.
– Masculinity: The darker tone feels traditionally masculine and “manly.”
– Seriousness: Gunmetal has a solemn, no-nonsense attitude.
– Exclusivity: In fashion, gunmetal hints at luxury and elite status.
– Somberness: At times, gunmetal can seem a little gloomy or sad.
– Mystery: In some contexts, gunmetal takes on an enigmatic, secretive mood.
It’s a color with gravity and weight. The darker gunmetal shades bring out more solemn feelings, while lighter versions have a softer, more elegant impression.
Where Did the Name Gunmetal Gray Come From?
Gunmetal gray gets its name from actual gun metal – the dark gray steel alloy historically used to make firearms. This gun metal developed a distinctive dark charcoal gray color when polished.
The first small arms guns produced in the 16th century were made from iron. But stronger steel alloys were later created specifically for gun manufacturing. These gun metals were designed to withstand the firing stress exerted on gun barrels and chambers.
The most common gun metals included steel alloys like:
– Carbon steel
– Nickel steel
– Chromium steel (stainless steel)
– Manganese steel
When polished, these metals took on various shades of deep gray with subtle hints of blue, green, black or brown undertones.
Over time, “gunmetal” became shorthand for referring to these dark gray metal colors. It eventually made its way beyond guns to become a popular metallic color for all kinds of items.
So next time you see something described as gunmetal gray, you can thank centuries of firearms manufacturing for inspiring the name!
Conclusion
Gunmetal gray is a versatile neutral that combines black’s strength with gray’s sophistication. This cool dark gray gets its name from the gun metal color but has expanded far beyond just firearms.
With an urban bite but softer edge than black, gunmetal gray brings a moodiness and muscularity to everything from fashion and branding to home décor. It fits in beautifully with modern palettes and lifestyles. So embrace the gunmetal grayness!