Web Color Scheme Trends | Body Text Color Codes, Psychological Effects, and Practical Examples

Web design
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ボディテキスト
English nameVoice Text
KatakanaBody text
HEX#374151
RGB55, 65, 81
Design ThemeUI System & Alert Colors
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Why is it a trend? (Background and reasons)

In the world of web design, pure black (#000000) has long been considered the basic color for text. However, it has become known that too much contrast with a white background can strain the user's eyes when reading long texts. To reduce this visual fatigue and provide a more comfortable reading experience, slightly softer dark grays like #374151 are becoming mainstream.

This trend is closely linked to the growing concern for accessibility. Ensuring sufficient contrast while avoiding excessive stimulation aligns with the spirit of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Furthermore, amidst the preference for minimalist designs that focus on the content itself, the versatility of this color as a "quiet color" that conveys information accurately without being overly assertive is being re-evaluated.

The psychological effects of design and UX

Reliability and Stability: Dark gray, close to black, conveys a sense of calm and reliability to users. Using it on corporate websites or information-heavy media sites can enhance the credibility of the content.

Sophisticated impression: This color, which is not pure black but has a subtle bluish tint, creates a modern and refined atmosphere. When combined with a minimalist and clean design, it gives an even more urban impression.

Readability and Concentration: Optimized contrast with the background allows users to naturally focus on the text content. This UX benefit of reduced eye strain during long reading sessions is extremely important for blogs and news websites.

Visibility testing (UI component example)

Main button (solid color)
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Practical usage (best practices)

Its most basic use is for the body text of websites and applications. It offers the best readability, especially when combined with white (#FFFFFF) or off-white backgrounds.

Using it consistently across basic text elements that make up the UI, such as button labels, form field names, and navigation menus, brings a sense of unity and stability to the entire interface.

Using this color for headings and a slightly lighter gray (e.g., #6B7280) for lead paragraphs and supplementary information allows you to visually organize the hierarchical structure of information in an easy-to-understand way.

It's also ideal for supplementary text on a website, such as footers and copyright notices. It effectively conveys information without interfering with the main content.

Recommended color scheme suggestions

Cornflower Blue (#6495ED)

We combined trustworthy body text with a calm and intellectual-sounding blue. This color scheme, used in link text and UI accents, provides users with a sense of security while intuitively conveying the presence of interactive elements.

Linen (#FAF0E6)

Using linen as a background, which is slightly warmer than pure white, reduces eye strain and creates a more relaxing reading environment. This combination is recommended for websites with a natural and cozy atmosphere.

Gainsboro (#DCDCDC)

By combining the main text color with a lighter shade of gray, you can clearly represent the hierarchy of information. Using this for captions, supplementary information, and UI dividers gives the design depth and a well-organized feel.

FAQ

❓ Why is it better not to use pure black (#000000) in the main text?
Pure black offers the highest contrast against a white background, but this strong contrast can cause eye strain, especially when reading long texts. Using a slightly softer dark gray, such as #374151, can reduce the user's visual strain while maintaining sufficient readability.
❓ Is dark mode enabled, which uses this color as the background and white text?
It is possible to use it as a background color in dark mode. However, be sure to check that the contrast ratio with the text color placed on top of it (usually white or light gray) meets the WCAG standard (at least 4.5:1). Ensuring accessibility is important.
❓ How do I choose a link color to match this text color?
While the basic principle is to choose colors that match the brand and the purpose of the site, blue is generally recommended because it is easier for users to intuitively recognize it as a "clickable element." Furthermore, from an accessibility perspective, it is desirable to use methods of identification that do not rely on color vision, such as underlining, in addition to color.

Trend colors similar to body text

チャコールグレー

Charcoal Gray

This color is closer to black and is suitable when you want to emphasize a sense of weight and luxury. It gives a slightly stronger impression than #374151.

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オフブラック

Off Black

This color shares the same philosophy as pure black (#000000). It gives a closer impression to black and is used in minimalist designs.

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ヘディングテキスト

Heading Text

In most cases, it is defined as a color darker than the body text. It can be used in conjunction with #374151 to emphasize or de-emphasize information.

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