What colors go with black?
Black goes with neutrals like ivory, light gray and slate gray, and with navy, burgundy and emerald green for contrast or harmony. Below are 12 matching colors with hex codes, 6 ready-made palettes and tips for rooms, outfits and brands.
12 colors that go with black
| Color | Hex | Relationship | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory | #FFFFF0 | Neutral | a clean, light backdrop that lets the color lead |
| Light Gray | #D3D3D3 | Neutral | a soft neutral for large areas |
| Slate Gray | #708090 | Neutral | a mid neutral that calms the color down |
| Beige | #F5F5DC | Neutral | a warm light neutral that lifts a dark color |
| Navy | #000080 | Accent | a deep classic that adds structure |
| Burgundy | #610023 | Accent | a rich warm accent |
| Emerald Green | #028F1E | Accent | a jewel-tone accent |
| Mustard | #CEB301 | Accent | a warm, vintage pop |
| Dusty Rose | #C0737A | Accent | a soft, romantic accent |
| Royal Blue | #4169E1 | Accent | a bright, confident accent |
| Terracotta | #CA6641 | Accent | an earthy, warm accent |
| Gold | #FFD700 | Metallic | warm metals flatter warm and neutral colors |
Black color palettes
Calm neutrals: the color with three neutrals and one gentle accent
Black #000000, Ivory #FFFFF0, Light Gray #D3D3D3, Slate Gray #708090, Emerald Green #028F1E. Open this palette in the generator.
Complementary pop: contrast from the opposite side of the wheel, balanced by neutrals
Black #000000, Navy #000080, Burgundy #610023, Ivory #FFFFF0, Beige #F5F5DC. Open this palette in the generator.
Analogous harmony: neighboring hues for a natural, blended look
Emerald Green #028F1E, Black #000000, Mustard #CEB301, Ivory #FFFFF0, Slate Gray #708090. Open this palette in the generator.
Monochromatic: one hue from light tint to deep shade
Platinum #E0E1DD, Silver #C0C0C0, Black #000000, Jet #212529, Almost Black #070D0D. Open this palette in the generator.
Split complementary: two accents beside the complement, lively but easy to balance
Black #000000, Dusty Rose #C0737A, Royal Blue #4169E1, Ivory #FFFFF0, Slate Gray #708090. Open this palette in the generator.
Playful triad: evenly spaced hues, softened with a neutral
Black #000000, Royal Blue #4169E1, Terracotta #CA6641, Light Gray #D3D3D3, Beige #F5F5DC. Open this palette in the generator.
Curated palettes with black
How to use black with other colors
- Rooms and interiors: paint black on one wall or use it in textiles, then keep larger surfaces ivory or light gray; add navy in small objects.
- Outfits: anchor black with beige or denim, and use burgundy for one piece such as a scarf or shoes.
- Brands and websites: use black for one role (background, buttons or headings), ivory for space and a dark neutral for text; white text reads best on black itself.
- Follow the 60-30-10 rule: about 60% neutral, 30% your main color, 10% accent.
Colors that are close to black but not the same, such as a slightly different shade, can look like a mistake rather than a choice. Either match it, or contrast it clearly in lightness or hue.
More about black
- Black color: hex #000000, RGB, OKLCH, shades and contrast.
- What does black mean?: symbolism and psychology.
- What colors make black: how to mix it.
- Color harmonies on the color wheel: why these pairings work.
Colors that go with other colors
- Colors that go with brownMatching colors and palettes for brown.
- Colors that go with greenMatching colors and palettes for green.
- Colors that go with redMatching colors and palettes for red.
- Colors that go with purpleMatching colors and palettes for purple.
- Colors that go with grayMatching colors and palettes for gray.
- Colors that go with navy blueMatching colors and palettes for navy blue.
- Colors that go with blueMatching colors and palettes for blue.
- Colors that go with pinkMatching colors and palettes for pink.
- Colors that go with orangeMatching colors and palettes for orange.
- Colors that go with yellowMatching colors and palettes for yellow.
- Colors that go with burgundyMatching colors and palettes for burgundy.
- Colors that go with tealMatching colors and palettes for teal.
- Colors that go with sage greenMatching colors and palettes for sage green.
- Colors that go with olive greenMatching colors and palettes for olive green.
- Colors that go with goldMatching colors and palettes for gold.
- Colors that go with light blueMatching colors and palettes for light blue.
- Colors that go with dark greenMatching colors and palettes for dark green.
- Colors that go with maroonMatching colors and palettes for maroon.
Frequently asked questions
What colors go with black?
Black pairs well with neutrals such as ivory, light gray and slate gray, and with accents such as navy, burgundy and emerald green. The palettes above show complete combinations with hex codes.
What is the complementary color of black?
Black is a neutral, so it has no strong complement: almost any accent works with it.
What color text goes on black?
White text reads best on black #000000. Check the exact pair in the contrast checker.
Does black go with ivory?
Yes. Ivory is a clean, light backdrop that lets the color lead, so it is one of the easiest pairings for black.
Make a black palette
Lock this color in the generator and let it suggest harmonies, then check contrast and export.