#DDDDE2 · #DEDED9
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 100/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 10/100 (hard to tell apart) · Match 89/100 (close). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
GreyPlacidity and Gainsboro are very close (ΔE 5). They have near-opposite hues (180° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
GreyPlacidity text on Gainsboro: 1.00:1 (Fail); Gainsboro text on GreyPlacidity: 1.00:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #626166 clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 100/100). 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 #626166 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 5 — very close.
close but visibly different (ΔE 5.2).
Explore each color: GreyPlacidity #DDDDE2 · Gainsboro #DEDED9 · Shades: GreyPlacidity shades · Gainsboro shades · Contrast checker →