Home / Color / Color names / Blacks and near-blacks
Blacks and near-blacks
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil is a very deep, cool color with cool (blue, blue-green or violet) character. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 0.4, so it reflects roughly 0% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #0B0C14 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 11, 12, 20 |
| HSL | 233°, 29%, 6% |
| Estimated LRV | 0.4 |
| Temperature | cool |
| Text on it | White text, contrast 19.5:1 |
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 that can push this color cooler and grayer. Test it there before committing, or pick a slightly warmer cousin.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light, which this cooler color can calm.
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 Midnight Oil
Anti-Flash White
Midnight Oil
Velvet Black
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
Velvet Black#241F20Analogous
Narwhal Grey#080813Analogous
Narwhal Grey#080813Triadic
Narwhal Grey#080813Triadic
Velvet Black#241F20Split complementary
Violet Void#1A161DTints 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 Midnight Oil in real paint
Midnight Oil 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.