Gray is a neutral color that falls between black and white on the color spectrum. There are many shades of gray, ranging from very light silvery grays to very dark charcoal grays. Super dark grays are deep, rich gray tones that verge on black but still show some gray character. Here is a closer look at super dark gray and its color codes.
Defining Super Dark Gray
Super dark grays sit at the bottom end of the gray color spectrum, right before true black. They are often described as charcoal gray, gunmetal gray, or blackened gray. These rich, inky grays have very low lightness values and prominently display their gray rather than black character. While there is no definitive point where dark gray becomes “super” dark gray, most super dark grays have RGB or CMYK values that put them in the bottom 5-10% of the grayscale.
RGB Values for Super Dark Gray
In the RGB color model, grays are created by setting all three color values (red, green, blue) to equal levels. Super dark grays have very low RGB values in the range of 30-50 for each color component. Some specific RGB values for super dark grays include:
| RGB Code | Color Swatch |
| RGB(51, 51, 51) | |
| RGB(40, 40, 40) | |
| RGB(34, 34, 34) | |
| RGB(28, 28, 28) |
As the RGB values decrease, the grays get darker. RGB codes in the 30s produce very dark charcoal grays, while values in the 20s create almost-black super dark grays.
CMYK Values for Super Dark Gray
In the CMYK color model, grays are made by mixing together CMY at full saturation. Super dark grays have high percentages of black ink, represented by the “K” value in CMYK codes. Some CMYK values that produce super dark grays are:
| CMYK Code | Color Swatch |
| CMYK(60, 50, 50, 90) | |
| CMYK(0, 0, 0, 80) | |
| CMYK(0, 0, 0, 70) | |
| CMYK(0, 0, 0, 60) |
High K values like 80-90% produce very dark super grays. Lower K values around 60-70% create lighter charcoal tones.
HEX Codes for Super Dark Gray
HEX codes are six-digit combinations of numbers and letters from 0-9 and A-F. These codes are often used for web design and other digital applications. Some HEX codes for super dark grays are:
| HEX Code | Color Swatch |
| #333333 | |
| #292929 | |
| #1C1C1C | |
| #141414 |
Lighter super dark grays have HEX codes in the #2s and #3s. Darker shades have codes in the #1s and #0s as they get closer to black (#000000).
Comparing Color Code Systems
The same super dark gray can have different color values depending on the code system:
| Color | RGB | CMYK | HEX |
| Charcoal gray | RGB(52, 52, 52) | CMYK(0, 0, 0, 80) | #343434 |
| Gunmetal gray | RGB(43, 43, 43) | CMYK(0, 0, 0, 83) | #2B2B2B |
| Blackened gray | RGB(32, 32, 32) | CMYK(0, 0, 0, 87) | #202020 |
While the specific values change, the visual gray color remains the same. Designers and artists can choose the color code system they prefer to work with.
Super Dark Gray Color Uses
Super dark grays work well when you want a muted, neutral color that still has depth and personality. Some popular uses include:
- Fashion – Used in edgy clothing, accessories, and makeup.
- Interior design – Provides sophisticated contrast against lighter decor.
- Architecture – Used on exteriors to create sleek modernist designs.
- Cars and technology – Gives a stylish, upscale look for automobiles, electronics, and appliances.
- Graphic design – Contrasts well with brightly colored graphics and photos.
Super dark grays pair beautifully with other cool tones like blues, greens and purples. They also pop against bright warm tones like yellow, orange and red.
Mixing Your Own Super Dark Gray
You can mix custom super dark grays using professional artist paints, print inks, dye, or other coloring mediums. Here are some tips:
- Start with a black base, then add small amounts of white and/or blue pigment.
- Cool grays are made by adding blue, violet or green. Warm grays use brown, orange, red or yellow.
- Add your secondary pigments very sparingly until you achieve the desired gray tone.
- Test your mixed grays on sample boards before using for a large project.
- Take detailed notes so you can repeat custom colors accurately.
It can take some trial and error to mix the perfect super dark gray. But the beautiful, sophisticated result is worth the effort.
Conclusion
Super dark grays exist at the deepest end of the grayscale spectrum right before true black. While they are very dark in tone, they maintain enough gray character to stand out from black. Super dark grays have very low RGB values, high black (K) percentages in CMYK, and HEX codes in the #1s and #2s. They provide an excellent sophisticated neutral that works well in many design fields. With the right color codes and mixing techniques, you can easily incorporate super dark grays into your own projects.