Silver color: code #C0C0C0

Silver

#C0C0C0

Color codes

  • HEX#C0C0C0
  • RGBrgb(192, 192, 192)
  • HSLhsl(0, 0%, 75%)
  • HSVhsv(0, 0%, 75%)
  • CMYKcmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 25%)
  • LABlab(77.7% 0 0)
  • OKLCHoklch(80.8% 0 0)

About the color Silver

Silver has the HEX code #C0C0C0, which corresponds to rgb(192, 192, 192) in the RGB model. On the color wheel its hue sits at 0°, with 0% saturation and 75% lightness (hsl(0, 0%, 75%)).

With very low saturation (or extreme lightness) it works as a neutral, easy to pair with almost any other color.

As a background it calls for dark text: black reaches a 11.54:1 contrast ratio on it, versus 1.81:1 for white.

For print, the approximate conversion is cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 25%). Always confirm with your printer’s color profile, because the result depends on paper and ink.

Lighter tints

Darker shades

Color combinations with Silver

Complementary

#C0C0C0 · #BFBFBF

Analogous

#BFBFBF · #C0C0C0 · #BFBFBF

Triadic

#C0C0C0 · #BFBFBF · #BFBFBF

Tetradic

#C0C0C0 · #BFBFBF · #BFBFBF · #BFBFBF

Split-complementary

#C0C0C0 · #BFBFBF · #BFBFBF

Monochromatic

#808080 · #A6A6A6 · #C0C0C0 · #E6E6E6 · #FFFFFF

Silver with white and black text

White text Aa Bb Cc 123
1.81:1 · fails WCAG
Black text Aa Bb Cc 123
11.54:1 · AAA

Test other pairs in the contrast checker

Silver or light gray?

Technically, #C0C0C0 (rgb(192, 192, 192)) is a neutral gray, with all three channels equal. What makes it “silver” is the name and the context: silver is one of the 16 basic colors from HTML 3.2, alongside gray (#808080). A CSS oddity worth knowing: darkgray (#A9A9A9) is lighter than gray, a leftover from merging different color systems into one spec. So when you work with silver, trust the HEX, not the name.

Associations and uses

Silver tends to suggest technology, modernity, precision and understated elegance, the “cool” side of precious metals. It has been the color of appliances, laptops and cars for decades, and in many cultures it marks the 25th wedding anniversary. In fashion, metallic silver fabrics show up in eveningwear and futuristic collections; in jewelry, silver is often said to flatter cool undertones, though that rule is increasingly relaxed. In interiors, chrome fixtures and pulls give kitchens and bathrooms a contemporary feel.

Screen, print and the metallic effect

Like gold, silver on screen is just gray until light comes into play. To suggest metal in interfaces and banners, use a gradient between light and mid grays with a near-white highlight. At the printer, CMYK renders #C0C0C0 as ordinary gray (essentially a black halftone). For real shine you need a special ink, such as a metallic silver Pantone (Pantone 877 C is one of the most common), or a metallic foil finish.

How to pair it and keep it legible

Silver sits well with cool, deep colors: navy blue (#000080), charcoal gray (#36454F) and lavender (#E6E6FA) for a wintry look. For a warm contrast, try deep pink (#FF1493).

In interfaces, be careful: silver-gray buttons or text read as “disabled.” #C0C0C0 against white is 1.8:1, not enough for any text; on black it is 11.5:1. Use silver for borders, dividers and decorative icons, and validate everything else in the contrast checker.

How to use it in CSS

:root {
  --color-silver: #C0C0C0;
  --color-silver-rgb: 192, 192, 192;
}

.elemento {
  background-color: var(--color-silver);
  color: #000000;
}

Similar colors

Use Silver in our tools