5 modern alternatives to black in web design [2025] + tips for color combinations

by Tobias Berger / updated 18.09.2025 / 6 min. reading time

by Tobias Berger / updated 18.09.2025 /
6 min. reading time

Not all black is the same – especially not in modern web design.
If you rely on pure #000000, you risk a design that looks cheap, garish or difficult to read. Especially in dark mode, black can be too harsh, tiring the eyes and pushing content into the background.

The good news: there are modern alternatives to black that create depth, elegance and a premium feel. In this article, we show you 5 shades of “almost black” that are perfect for dark fashion websites – including tips on color combinations.

Tip: If you prefer a bright, minimalist design instead, read our article 🔗 5 modern alternatives to pure white (#FFFFFF) for modern, pleasant and professional layouts.

#121212 - Dark mode standard for modern websites

1. montserrat - modern & versatile

Ideal for: Websites, navigation, buttons, headlines

Effect: friendly, clean, modern
Colors: #1E1E1E (dark gray) + #FFFFFF (white) + #4CAFEB (blue) The dark gray brings stability, white provides clarity, blue sets a fresh accent

Vorteile von #121212

Wirkt weniger grell als reines Schwarz (#000000).
Schont die Augen in dunkler Umgebung.
Sorgt für eleganten Kontrast ohne harte Übergänge.
Auf OLED-Displays besonders hochwertig und tief.

Kombinationstipps

Helle Grautöne für Lesbarkeit:
#E0E0E0
#F5F5F5
Akzentfarben dezent einsetzen:
#00ADB5
#FF6F61
Weiße Flächen gezielt als Highlights nutzen.
Leichte Glassmorphism- oder Neumorphism-Effekte für zusätzliche Tiefe.

Benefits of #121212

Feels less harsh than pure black (#000000).
Gentler on the eyes in low-light environments.
Delivers elegant contrast without hard edges.
Looks premium on OLED displays with deep blacks.

Pairing Tips

Use soft grays for readability:
#E0E0E0
#F5F5F5
Add subtle accent colors:
#00ADB5
#FF6F61
Reserve white space for highlights.
Apply gentle glassmorphism or neumorphism for depth.

#0D0D0D - The underdog for deep dark fashion designs

#0D0D0D is almost black, but softer. It avoids the “hole effect”. Shadows, glow and glass morphism work very well on it. Legibility remains stable. Ideal for overlays, footers, modals and hero slides.

Vorteile von #0D0D0D

Wirkt fast schwarz, aber weicher und angenehmer.
Vermeidet den „Loch-Effekt“ reinen Schwarztons.
Perfekt für Footer, Overlays oder Hero-Sections.

Kombinationstipps

Feine Linien in Hellgrau:
#DADADA
Serifenschriften für einen edlen Editorial-Look.
Goldtöne für ein luxuriöses Finish:
#C9B37E
Großzügiger Whitespace für Balance.

Benefits of #0D0D0D

Appears nearly black but softer and more elegant.
Avoids the “hole effect” of pure black.
Perfect for footers, overlays or hero sections.

Pairing Tips

Use fine lines in light gray:
#DADADA
Choose serif fonts for an editorial look.
Add gold tones for a luxurious finish:
#C9B37E
Generous whitespace for balance.

#222222 - Versatile dark gray for interfaces & SaaS websites

#222222 is a calm, neutral dark gray. It organizes dashboards and SaaS interfaces without dominating. Texts and elements have a clear contrast. It looks professional and calm. Perfect for cards, navbars, forms and developer portfolios.

Vorteile von #222222

Klare Lesbarkeit mit Weiß oder Grau (#FAFAFA, #CCCCCC).
Sorgt für Struktur bei UI-Elementen.
Wirkt ruhiger und weniger hart als Schwarz.

Kombinationstipps

Akzentfarben wie Limonengrün für Frische:
#C0FF00
Elektroblau für einen Tech-Look:
#3385FF
Soft Orange für Wärme:
#FFAA66

Benefits of #222222

Clear readability with white or gray (#FAFAFA, #CCCCCC).
Provides structure for UI elements.
Feels calmer and less harsh than pure black.

Pairing Tips

Accent color Lime Green for freshness:
#C0FF00
Electric Blue for a tech look:
#3385FF
Soft Orange for warmth:
#FFAA66

#181818 - Netflix gray for storytelling & content websites

#181818 is the well-known “Netflix gray”. Images, thumbnails and CTAs shine more brightly on it. The look is cinematic and modern. It is less harsh than pure black. Great for landing pages, videos and hero sections.

Vorteile im Webdesign

Ideal für Video-Content & Cinematics.
Macht CTAs leuchtender:
#E50914
Wirkt menschlicher als reines Schwarz (#000000).

Kombinationstipps

Kräftige Akzente in Rot, Türkis oder Elektroblau.
Hero-Sektionen mit Bewegtbild.
Moderne, runde Schriften.

Benefits in Web Design

Ideal for video content & cinematics.
Makes CTAs pop:
#E50914
Feels more human than pure black (#000000).

Pairing Tips

Bold accents in red, teal, or electric blue.
Hero sections with motion video.
Modern, rounded typefaces.

#1C1C1E - Minimalist black alternative for premium web design

#1C1C1E has a minimalist and elegant look. Lots of whitespace and clear typography come into their own here. The contrast is pleasant and not too harsh. Content remains the focus. Ideal for portfolios, editorial layouts and luxury websites.

Vorteile von #1C1C1E

Wirkt elegant mit Weiß (#FFFFFF) oder Elfenbein (#FDFDFD).
Passt zu Portfolios, Editorial-Layouts & High-Fashion-Websites.
Sorgt für visuelle Ruhe und minimalistisches Design.

Kombinationstipps

Feine Linien in Hellgrau:
#DADADA
Serifenschriften für ein Editorial-Feeling.
Goldtöne für ein luxuriöses Finish:
#C9B37E
Großzügiger Whitespace.

Benefits of #1C1C1E

Pairs elegantly with white (#FFFFFF) or ivory (#FDFDFD).
Perfect for portfolios, editorial layouts & high-fashion websites.
Creates visual calm and a minimalist design.

Pairing Tips

Use fine lines in light gray:
#DADADA
Choose serif typefaces for an editorial look.
Add gold tones for a luxurious finish:
#C9B37E
Generous whitespace for a clean layout.

Summary: The best alternatives to black in web design [2025]

Vorteile von #1C1C1E

Wirkt elegant mit Weiß (#FFFFFF) oder Elfenbein (#FDFDFD).
Passt zu Portfolios, Editorial-Layouts & High-Fashion-Websites.
Sorgt für visuelle Ruhe und minimalistisches Design.

Kombinationstipps

Feine Linien in Hellgrau:
#DADADA
Serifenschriften für ein Editorial-Feeling.
Goldtöne für ein luxuriöses Finish:
#C9B37E
Großzügiger Whitespace.

Benefits of #1C1C1E

Pairs elegantly with white (#FFFFFF) or ivory (#FDFDFD).
Perfect for portfolios, editorial layouts & high-fashion websites.
Creates visual calm and a minimalist design.

Pairing Tips

Use fine lines in light gray:
#DADADA
Choose serif typefaces for an editorial look.
Add gold tones for a luxurious finish:
#C9B37E
Generous whitespace for a clean layout.

Black doesn’t always have to be #000000. Especially in dark mode, shades of “almost black” look more elegant, easier on the eyes and more modern. Here are the five most important alternatives – including typical areas of application:

#121212 – Dark mode standard, perfect for interfaces & apps.
#1C1C1E – Minimalist & classy, ideal for portfolios & luxury brands.
#181818 – Netflix gray, strong stage for storytelling & videos.
#0D0D0D – Mystical & deep, great for footers, overlays & hero sections.
#222222 – All-rounder, suitable for B2B, SaaS & functional interfaces.

In addition to selecting the perfect “almost black” tones, white is also an important factor in web design. Find out in our article 🔗 5 modern alternatives to pure white (#FFFFFF) which off-white colors make your website look more high-quality and pleasant – including hex codes, combination tips and application examples. If you want to know which colors really suit your project and style, take a look at our color scheme guide with interactive generator – there you answer 4 short questions and automatically receive a complete color palette for your individual use case.

Hey, I'm Tobias!

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