#04202A · #2B160C
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 98/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 67/100 (somewhat similar) · Match 44/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Deep Cyan and Espresso are a clear pair (ΔE 25). They have near-opposite hues (176° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Deep Cyan text on Espresso: 1.02:1 (Fail); Espresso text on Deep Cyan: 1.02:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #6A8794 clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 98/100). This is about how they look together (clothing, interiors, branding), independent of text contrast.
Not at body size — the best direction is only 1.0:1, below the 4.5:1 minimum. Nudging one colour to #6A8794 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 25 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 25).
Explore each color: Deep Cyan #04202A · Espresso #2B160C · Shades: Deep Cyan shades · Espresso shades · Contrast checker →