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Browns
Graphite
Graphite is a very deep, warm neutral color with a yellow undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 3.4, so it reflects roughly 3% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #383428 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 56, 52, 40 |
| HSL | 45°, 17%, 19% |
| Estimated LRV | 3.4 |
| Temperature | warm neutral |
| Text on it | White text, contrast 12.4:1 |
LRV here is estimated from the screen color (relative luminance). Paint brands publish measured LRVs on their own chips, which can differ.
How it reads on a wall
Close to black on the wall. Best for doors, window frames, cabinetry, a single accent wall or exterior trim. Needs strong light and careful sheen choice.
North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light all day; a warm color like this one helps balance it.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light that will make this color look warmer and more saturated in the afternoon.
Rooms it suits
- Front doors and interior doors
- Cabinetry and built-ins
- Window frames and exterior trim
- One accent wall in a well-lit room
A 60-30-10 palette built on Graphite
White Beach
Graphite
Night Sky
The 60-30-10 rule splits a room into a main color, a secondary color and an accent. Swap in real paint and fabric samples before you buy.
Harmonies
Complementary
Night Sky#292B31Analogous
Black Olive#3B3C36Analogous
Smoked Black Coffee#3B2F2FTriadic
Charcoal#343837Triadic
Black Velvet#222233Split complementary
Wet Concrete#353838Tints and shades
Lighter tints work as a ceiling or adjoining-room color; deeper shades suit trim, doors or cabinets.
Similar named colors
Closest Colors of the Year
Getting Graphite in real paint
Graphite is a name from the open color-names list (MIT license), not a specific paint product. Most paint counters can mix a close match: bring a printed or physical sample, or use a brand color-match tool, then buy a sample pot and paint a 2 by 2 foot swatch on two walls. Screens and printers shift color.
On-screen colors are approximations. Pantone, Color of the Year and brand color names are trademarks of their owners.