Conversions, palettes, contrast & design ideas for this color.
Color profile
#231E20 is a neutral color from the Black family, closest in name to “Velvet Black”. In RGB it is rgb(35, 30, 32); in HSL, hsl(336, 8%, 13%).
The color Velvet Black, with hexadecimal code #231e20, is classified within the black color family, projecting power, sophistication, and timeless formality in design. Additionally, it evokes emotions such as Power, Elegance, Formality, Mystery and Authority. With negligible saturation (8%), this color is effectively achromatic—a pure neutral that pairs with any hue without competition. At only 13% lightness, this extremely dark shade approaches black, delivering maximum drama and contrast when paired with lighter elements. This color is ideal for designs that aim to express Power, Elegance, Formality, Mystery, or Authority. It can be effectively used in web design, branding, and marketing materials to attract attention and convey specific messages.
Key facts
The story of this color
Velvet Black (#231E20) belongs to the Black color family.
As an achromatic shade, this color carries a timeless, versatile neutrality that anchors any palette it joins.
Black pigments date to the earliest human art—manganese oxide and carbon black were staples of prehistoric painters. In ancient Egypt, black symbolized the fertile soil of the Nile delta and thus life itself. Renaissance painters like Caravaggio mastered chiaroscuro, using deep blacks to create dramatic contrasts that revolutionized visual storytelling and influenced cinema centuries later.
Black anchors virtually any color scheme and is indispensable for text, icons, and borders. In branding, black signals luxury and exclusivity—Chanel, Nike, and Prada all build identities around black. Use it sparingly as a background to make white or neon elements pop, or use it generously to create bold, immersive experiences.
Black evokes power, elegance, mystery, and formality. It can feel protective and grounding but also oppressive if overused. The key is contrast: black paired with bright accents feels energetic, while black with muted tones feels sophisticated.
At just 13% lightness, this is an extremely dark shade that approaches black. It is best reserved for text, thin borders, or dramatic full-bleed backgrounds paired with light typography.
Pair black backgrounds with gradient overlays (dark-to-transparent) on hero images for cinematic depth. Combine matte black surfaces with glossy black accents for tactile contrast in packaging. In editorial design, full-bleed black pages with centered white serif type create striking chapter openers.
Every format
Every way to write Velvet Black — one-tap copy on every format; tap on any card to learn what it is and when to use it.
#231E20
Hexadecimal is the web’s universal color notation — two digits each for red, green and blue. Drop it straight into HTML, CSS or any design tool.
rgb(35, 30, 32)
RGB is the additive Red-Green-Blue model every screen uses to emit light. The default choice for websites, apps and on-screen UI.
hsl(336, 8%, 13%)
HSL breaks a color into Hue, Saturation and Lightness — the most intuitive way to lighten, darken or mute a color in CSS.
hsv(336, 14%, 14%)
HSV (also called HSB) maps Hue, Saturation and Value/Brightness. It is the model behind the color pickers in Photoshop, Figma and most design apps.
hwb(336 12% 86%)
HWB blends a pure hue with Whiteness and Blackness — a painter-friendly model added in CSS Color 4 for quick tints and shades.
cmyk(0%, 14%, 9%, 86%)
CMYK is the subtractive Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black ink model. Use these values when preparing artwork for a printer or commercial press.
oklch(24.15% 0.009 351.60)
OKLCH is a modern, perceptually-uniform space (Lightness, Chroma, Hue). It powers smooth gradients and accessible palettes in today’s CSS.
oklab(24.15% 0.008 -0.001)
OKLab is the Cartesian form of OKLCH — ideal for blending and interpolating colors without the muddy midpoints older spaces produce.
L: 11.89, a: 2.87, b: -0.49
CIELAB is a device-independent, perceptually-uniform space. It is the standard for measuring color difference (ΔE) and matching across devices.
L: 11.89, C: 2.91, H: 350.36
LCH is CIELAB in cylindrical form — Lightness, Chroma and Hue — letting you adjust vividness and hue while staying perceptually even.
X: 1.42, Y: 1.39, Z: 1.56
CIE XYZ is the 1931 master space that underpins every other model here — the scientific bridge used to convert between color systems.
2301472
The 24-bit integer value of the color — handy for databases, APIs, game engines and low-level graphics code.
Channel breakdown
How much red, green and blue light mixes into Velvet Black.
Percentages show each channel's share of the total light (R + G + B) in Velvet Black.
Ink coverage
Ink needed to reproduce Velvet Black in four-color print. Heaviest ink: Key (Black).
Print tip: treat these values as a starting point — final output depends on printer profile, paper stock and calibration.
Accessibility · WCAG
How bright Velvet Black is, and how far black and white text clear each WCAG bar.
Contrast ratio · 1:1 → 21:1 (log scale)
Developer shortcuts
Copy-and-paste CSS for Velvet Black — per-line copy, or grab the whole block.
background-color: #231E20;
color: #231E20;
border: 2px solid #231E20;
background-color: rgb(35, 30, 32);
background-color: hsl(336, 8%, 13%);
--color: #231E20;
Shades · light to dark
Lighter and darker steps of Velvet Black — the color's full brightness range in one strip.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex or open its color page.
Harmony · 180° apart
Two colors opposite on the wheel — maximum contrast for attention-grabbing accents.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex or open its color page.
Harmony · adjacent hues
Neighboring hues on the wheel — harmonious, calm combinations that feel unified.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex or open its color page.
Harmony · 120° apart
Three colors evenly spaced on the wheel — vibrant and energetic, yet balanced.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex or open its color page.
Harmony · 90° apart
Four colors evenly spaced on the wheel (tetradic) — rich schemes with multiple accents.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex or open its color page.
Accessibility
How Velvet Black reads across five kinds of color vision — a ✓ Friendly verdict means the color difference stays distinguishable for that vision type.
The dot marks the original color. Hover any shade to copy its hex.
Harmony overview
The lead color from each harmony scheme, side by side — a shortcut to the full palettes above.
Perceptually nearby
A step away in brightness, richness or shade — each still feels like the same color.
From the color-name library
The closest named colors to #231E20 — same mood, each with its own character.
Looking for more Black shades? Browse Black colors →
Inspiration
Curated Unsplash photos that carry the mood of Velvet Black — hover any tile to download it or view the original.
Good to know
Harmony