What color do gray and black make?
Mixed as paint, gray and black make a gray. Change the ratio, switch to light or CSS mixing, and copy the result.
Gray and black make gray
Mixed as paint, gray and black make a gray (#656565). As light on a screen, they make a gray (#8D8D8D), and blended in CSS with OKLCH they give a dark gray (#4E4E4E).
gray
#656565
As paint
Pigments absorb light, so every color you add takes some away. This is what you get on a palette or canvas.
gray
#8D8D8D
As light
Colored lights add up, as on a screen or stage. Mixes get brighter, not darker.
dark gray
#4E4E4E
In CSS (OKLCH)
What color-mix(in oklch, …) returns for an even mix in the browser.
Mixing gray and black in different ratios
The ratio decides which color leads. These are paint mixes, measured in equal-sized parts.
3:1 · #797979
3 gray : 1 black, gray
2:1 · #737373
2 gray : 1 black, gray
1:1 · #656565
1 gray : 1 black, gray
1:2 · #555555
1 gray : 2 black, dark gray
1:3 · #4B4B4B
1 gray : 3 black, dark gray
Making the mix lighter or darker
Add white for tints and black for shades. Each step adds 20% more of it to the even gray and black mix.
With white
#8E8E8E
20%
#A8A8A8
40%
#BEBEBE
60%
#D3D3D3
80%
With black
#5B5B5B
20%
#4F4F4F
40%
#404040
60%
#2D2D2D
80%
Need a full scale for a UI instead? The shade generator builds evenly spaced, accessible shades from any color.
More mixes with gray
More mixes with black
Mixing gray and black FAQ
Mixed as paint, gray and black make a gray (#656565). As light on a screen, they make a gray (#8D8D8D), and blended in CSS with OKLCH they give a dark gray (#4E4E4E).
Light adds up instead of absorbing, so gray and black light make a gray (#8D8D8D). That is why screens can show bright yellows from red and green light, while the same paints would turn brown.
Change the ratio. Three parts gray to one part black gives a gray (#797979), while one part gray to three parts black gives a dark gray (#4B4B4B). To lighten the result add white, and to darken it add a little black.
Use color-mix(in oklch, #8A8A8A 50%, #1A1A1A 50%), which gives #4E4E4E. OKLCH keeps the middle of the mix bright, while mixing in sRGB tends to turn it gray.