#12241E · #2A1B21
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 98/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 29/100 (hard to tell apart) · Match 60/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Deep Dusty Teal and Espresso are a clear pair (ΔE 18). They have near-opposite hues (176° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Deep Dusty Teal text on Espresso: 1.02:1 (Fail); Espresso text on Deep Dusty Teal: 1.02:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #768B83 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 #768B83 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 18 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 18).
Explore each color: Deep Dusty Teal #12241E · Espresso #2A1B21 · Shades: Deep Dusty Teal shades · Espresso shades · Contrast checker →