Dim gray
A dark grey defined for web and digital use
Dim gray is a dark grey shade used in web design, set by the hex code #696969. It is one of several named greys in HTML and CSS, and its spelling follows the American 'gray' to avoid errors in browsers. Dim gray stands out for its deeper tone compared to standard gray.
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- Dim gray is defined by the hex code #696969
- It is darker than the standard web color 'gray'
- The spelling 'gray' is required in web code to avoid errors
- Used mainly in web and digital design
What colour is Dim gray?
Dim gray is a dark shade of grey, set apart from other greys by its specific digital definition: the RGB hex code #696969. It is noticeably darker than the standard web color called 'gray' (#808080), giving it a more muted and subdued look on screens. Dim gray is used mainly in digital design, where precise colour values are needed.
Where does Dim gray come from?
The name 'Dim gray' comes from its use in web and digital standards, where several greys are given distinct names. The spelling 'gray' is used in HTML and CSS because it was inherited from the X11 color list, and using 'grey' can cause errors in some browsers. There is no known link to a natural material or traditional use.
How Dim gray is defined
Dim gray is not a pigment or dye but a colour value defined for screens. It is created by setting the red, green, and blue (RGB) values each to 105 out of 255, resulting in the hex code #696969. This ensures the same shade appears on all devices that follow web standards.
Where Dim gray is used
Dim gray is found in web design and digital graphics, where it is chosen for backgrounds, borders, and text that need a dark but not black tone. Its precise definition allows designers to achieve consistent results across browsers and platforms.
Shades and relatives of Dim gray
Other web greys include 'gray' (#808080), which is lighter, and 'darkgray', which is actually lighter than 'gray' due to a naming conflict in early standards. Slategray colours are related but have a hint of blue-green and are not true greys.
Colours that go with Dim gray
Harmonies are worked out from the value #696969. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Dim gray
What colour is Dim gray?
Dim gray is a dark shade of grey, set by the RGB hex code #696969 for digital use.
Where does the name Dim gray come from?
The name comes from web and digital standards, where several greys are given unique names for use in HTML and CSS.
Why is the spelling 'gray' used instead of 'grey'?
The spelling 'gray' is required in HTML and CSS because 'grey' can cause errors in some browsers, following the X11 color list.
How is Dim gray used?
Dim gray is used in web design and digital graphics for backgrounds, borders, and text needing a dark grey.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Grey" (the section "Web colors"), written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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