Onyx Hex Code — #353839

RGB, HSL, and CMYK values for Onyx.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

Onyx Color Values

Format	Value
HEX	#353839
RGB	rgb(53, 56, 57)
HSL	hsl(195, 4%, 22%)
CMYK	cmyk(7%, 2%, 0%, 78%)

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About Onyx

Color psychology: Sophistication, protection.

Onyx (#353839) is a dark shade of black with a hue angle of 195° on the color wheel, 4% saturation, and 22% lightness. It's commonly used in web design, graphic design, and branding where sophistication, protection are desired associations.

In color theory, Onyx sits in the cool section of the spectrum. Its low saturation creates a muted, understated tone — great for backgrounds, borders, and subtle UI elements.

When to Use Onyx in Design

Web Design

Use Onyx for headings, links, or accent elements against light backgrounds. Dark colors like this provide strong contrast and draw the eye to important content.

Branding & Logo

Onyx conveys sophistication, protection — consider it for brands that want to project these qualities. Test it at small sizes (favicon, social avatar) to ensure it remains recognizable.

Print Design

Use the CMYK values (C:7% M:2% Y:0% K:78%) for accurate print reproduction in brochures, business cards, and packaging. Request a physical proof — screen colors often appear more vibrant than their printed equivalents.

UI / UX Design

Dark colors like Onyx are effective for primary buttons, navigation bars, and text. Use a lighter tint (increase HSL lightness to 90%+) for hover backgrounds.

How to Use Onyx in CSS

/* Using HEX */
color: #353839;
background-color: #353839;

/* Using RGB */
color: rgb(53, 56, 57);

/* Using HSL — best for creating variations */
color: hsl(195, 4%, 22%);

/* Transparent overlay (50% opacity) */
background-color: rgba(53, 56, 57, 0.5);

/* Lighter variant for hover states */
background-color: hsl(195, 4%, 32%);

/* Darker variant for active states */
background-color: hsl(195, 4%, 12%);

HSL is the most flexible format for creating color systems. By adjusting the lightness value, you can generate an entire shade scale from Onyx without changing its core hue or saturation.

Colors That Go With Onyx

Complementary

Analogous

Triadic

Similar Shades of Black

Raven

#0E0E10

Ebony

#555D50

Obsidian

#3B3C36

Oil

#281E15

Licorice

#1A1110

Black

#000000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for Onyx?

The hex color code for Onyx is #353839. In CSS, apply it as text color with color: #353839;, as a background with background-color: #353839;, or as a border with border-color: #353839;. Hex is the most widely used color notation on the web because it is compact, supported by every browser, and easy to copy between design tools like Figma, Photoshop, and code editors.

What is Onyx in RGB and when should I use RGB?

Onyx in RGB is rgb(53, 56, 57), where Red=53, Green=56, and Blue=57 on a 0-255 scale. Use RGB when you need transparency — rgba(53, 56, 57, 0.5) creates a 50% transparent version. RGB is also the native format for HTML canvas, WebGL, and JavaScript image manipulation, since each channel represents the intensity of that primary light color on screen displays.

How to use Onyx in CSS with different color formats?

Onyx can be applied in CSS using multiple formats: (1) Hex: color: #353839; — most compact and widely used. (2) RGB: color: rgb(53, 56, 57); — useful when calculating colors dynamically in JavaScript. (3) HSL: color: hsl(195, 4%, 22%); — best for creating variations, since adjusting lightness produces lighter or darker shades while keeping the same hue. (4) With transparency: rgba(53, 56, 57, 0.8); or hsla(195, 4%, 22%, 0.8); for 80% opacity overlays.

What is the HSL value of Onyx and why is HSL useful for designers?

Onyx in HSL is hsl(195, 4%, 22%). HSL stands for Hue (195 degrees on the color wheel), Saturation (4% color intensity), and Lightness (22% brightness). HSL is the most intuitive format for designers because you can create harmonious palettes by rotating the hue, generate hover effects by increasing lightness by 10%, and desaturate colors by reducing the S value. This makes Onyx a dark, muted cool-toned color.

What is the CMYK value of Onyx for print design?

Onyx in CMYK is C:7% M:2% Y:0% K:78%. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the standard color model for professional printing — business cards, brochures, merchandise, and packaging. When designing for print in Adobe InDesign or Illustrator, use these exact CMYK values to ensure accurate color reproduction. Screen colors (RGB) often appear more vibrant than their printed CMYK equivalents, so always request a physical proof for brand-critical materials.

What colors pair well with Onyx in design projects?

Black pairs with everything but is most striking with white, gold, red, or bright accents. In dark mode UIs, use near-black (#121212) instead of pure black for softer, more comfortable contrast.

Is Onyx (#353839) accessible for web design and WCAG compliant?

Black text on white exceeds all WCAG requirements. For dark mode, avoid pure black backgrounds — use #121212 with #E0E0E0 text to prevent halation (text glowing) for users with astigmatism. For Onyx specifically: as a dark shade (lightness: 22%), it can work as a text color on light backgrounds, but verify the exact contrast ratio using a contrast checker tool. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px+ bold or 24px+ regular).

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Written by

Tamanna Tasnim

Senior Full Stack Developer

ToolsContainerDhaka, Bangladesh5+ years experiencetasnim@toolscontainer.com www.toolscontainer.com

Full-stack developer with deep expertise in data formats, APIs, and developer tooling. Writes in-depth technical comparisons and conversion guides backed by hands-on engineering experience across modern web stacks.

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