nearblack

Nearblack is a descriptive term used in color theory, design, and fashion to denote colors that are visually very dark, lying just above true black in luminance. It is not a single standardized color, but a family of shades whose common characteristic is minimal lightness while avoiding the absolute zero value of black. In digital color spaces such as sRGB, near-black colors are typically represented by very low luminance values, with common practical examples including hex values like #111111, #141414, or #0a0a0a, though any color with L* around 5–10 on a 0–100 scale can be considered near-black depending on the context. In HSL or HSV, near-black colors have low lightness and can carry subtle hue or saturation that pure black lacks.

Applications include typography and UI design, where near-black text on light backgrounds reduces moiré or anti-aliasing artifacts and can feel more legible in certain displays, while still maintaining a dark aesthetic. In fashion, interior design, and photography, near-black fabrics or tones convey depth and sophistication without the harshness of pure black. The term is often used interchangeably with "charcoal," "off-black," or "ebony," though those terms can imply specific hues.

Because there is no universal standard for near-black, perception can vary with lighting, display technology, and material texture. When accessibility is a concern, contrast with the background should be tested to ensure legibility.