White Smoke vs Gray

What is the difference between White Smoke and Gray?

A side-by-side study of White Smoke (#F5F5F5) and Gray (#808080) presents distinct choices for graphic layouts. There is minimal difference in saturation, indicating both hues carry a comparable level of purity. From a lightness perspective, White Smoke reflects considerably more light. Sitting near each other on the spectrum (0° apart), they offer a smooth visual flow.

Design recommendations for White Smoke vs Gray

From a design standpoint, these colors serve different layout roles. The darker Gray is excellent for text elements, borders, and structural divs to anchor the page, whereas the more luminous White Smoke works best for highlights, background sections, or notification badges. Ensure contrast checks are verified for text readability.

Readability & Contrast Testing

Visual test showing black and white text overlay readability on both colors.

White Smoke Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid White Smoke background canvas.

White Text: 1.09:1 Black Text: 19.26:1

Gray Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid Gray background canvas.

White Text: 3.95:1 Black Text: 5.32:1

Technical Specifications Comparison

Format / Value White Smoke Gray Delta / Difference
HEX Code #F5F5F5 #808080 -
RGB Channels rgb(245, 245, 245) rgb(128, 128, 128) R:-117 | G:-117 | B:-117
HSL Values hsl(0°, 0%, 96%) hsl(0°, 0%, 50%) H:0° | S:0% | L:-46%
CMYK (Print) cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 4%) cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) -

Individual Color References

White Smoke Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes
Gray Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes
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