Gray: 29 shades, names and colour codes

A neutral sRGB grey has three equal channels. Tinted greys lean slightly towards blue, green or brown. These undertones become easier to see beside another grey.

Grey does not always look neutral: it may lean towards blue, green, pink or brown. To choose a pairing, first identify its undertone and lightness. Pearl grey used as a background and charcoal used to define volumes need different companions.

Grey and pink: coordinate the undertones

Powder pink can accompany warm grey in an understated palette. If the grey already leans violet, compare several pinks before choosing: an orange pink may introduce an unexpected break. Add a dark detail to establish structure, such as charcoal shelving or dark lettering on the light areas.

Grey and yellow: choose an accent area

With light grey, ochre can create a point of interest without changing the whole palette. Bright yellow on charcoal is more assertive. First choose one place for yellow: a cushion, a document rule or an icon with a label. Then assess whether an additional echo is actually useful.

Grey and blue: avoid two indistinct surfaces

Blue grey and medium blue can be so close that the result sits awkwardly between contrast and a tonal palette. Separate their lightness: light grey with navy, or charcoal with pale blue. In a bedroom, test the wall and bedding together. In an interface, check each text area and the boundaries of input fields.

Start with what will remain: stone, tiles, wood and fabrics. Place two greys with different tendencies against them instead of deciding from a screen. A grey that works with the floor may be less convincing beside the curtains. Choose for the whole setting; room orientation alone cannot prescribe a universal shade.

Try a 65% warm-grey base, 25% muted pink and 10% charcoal. Charcoal defines the edges. If pink feels too prominent, reduce its area before making every colour paler.

Three mid-greys may lack hierarchy even if they differ slightly. View the composition as a thumbnail: can you still distinguish the subject, background and details? Introduce a clearly lighter or darker area. In a document, avoid small, pale-grey lettering whose understated appearance comes at the cost of readability.