grayishwhite

Grayish white is a descriptive color term for hues that are very close to white but carry a noticeable gray undertone. It sits near the boundary between white and gray and can read as cool or warm depending on lighting, surrounding colors, and the material or medium displaying it.

In digital color representation, grayish whites are high-lightness, low-saturation values. Common examples include near-white tones such as #F5F5F5, #F8F8F8, or #FAFAFA. True white is #FFFFFF. Named web colors that illustrate this range include "White Smoke" (around #F5F5F5) and, less strictly, "Gainsboro" (#DCDCDC), which is somewhat grayer. Note that “grayish white” is a descriptive category rather than a single standardized color.

Uses and applications often favor grayish whites for neutral backgrounds that minimize glare while maintaining a clean appearance. They are popular in graphic design, user interfaces, interiors, and product finishes because they pair well with darker text and with many accent colors. In branding, their subtle contrast supports a minimalist, modern look and can affect perceived warmth or coolness through undertones.

Undertones vary: some grayish whites lean warm, resembling cream or ivory, while others lean cool with blue or gray hints. Because lighting and materials mutate appearance, the same label can yield different shades in different contexts. When selecting grayish white for critical tasks like text contrast, it helps to check value under actual lighting and confirm accessibility with appropriate contrast ratios.

See also: off-white, white balance, neutral color.