#CDDCD4 · #E1D3DB
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 99/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 13/100 (hard to tell apart) · Match 70/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Gainsboro and Light Gray are a clear pair (ΔE 13). They have near-opposite hues (178° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Gainsboro text on Light Gray: 1.02:1 (Fail); Light Gray text on Gainsboro: 1.02:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #53615A clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 99/100). 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 #53615A clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 13 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 13).
Explore each color: Gainsboro #CDDCD4 · Light Gray #E1D3DB · Shades: Gainsboro shades · Light Gray shades · Contrast checker →