Dirt

HEX: #9B7653 | Modern Palette

On White
4.11:1
FAIL
On Black
5.11:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#9B7653
RGB
155, 118, 83
HSL
29°, 46% ,60%
CMYK
0, 23.87, 46.45, 39.22

About Dirt

Dirt (#9B7653) is a color with RGB(155, 118, 83) and HSL(29.17°, 46.45%, 60.78%). It is commonly associated with Earthy moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Logo. Its complementary color is #53789B, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #539B76 and #76539B. The name comes from *durþą (Proto-Germanic).

  • HEX: #9B7653
  • RGB: 155, 118, 83
  • HSL: 29.17°, 46.45%, 60.78%
  • Mood: Earthy
  • Style: Warm
  • Use case: Text, Button, Logo
  • Complementary color: #53789B
  • Triadic colors: #539B76, #76539B
  • The name comes from *durþą (Proto-Germanic).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Dirt #9B7653 is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
 
 
DIRT
 
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
DIRT
 
 
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
 
 
DIRT
 
 
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.
 
 
 
 
 

Color Harmonies

Dirt #9B7653 pairs with #53789B as its complementary color, and #539B76 and #76539B in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

DIRT
Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

DIRT
Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

DIRT
Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

DIRT
Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

DIRT
Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

DIRT

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Dirt #9B7653 moves from dark #110D09 tones through the base color to lighter #F6F2EE tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

DIRT

Color Characteristics

Mood
Earthy
Style
Warm
Use case
Text Button Logo

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #828251
Protanopia #7B7B53
Tritanopia #9E7272
Achromatopsia #7D7D7D

Frequently Asked Questions

Dirt (#9B7653) is a color with RGB(155, 118, 83) and HSL(29.17°, 46.45%, 60.78%).

#9B7653 pairs strongly with #53789B as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#9B7653 is suitable for Text, Button, Logo and works well with Warm styles.

#9B7653 is commonly associated with Earthy.

The name Dirt is linked to *durþą from Proto-Germanic, meaning The Proto-Germanic root *durþą referred to 'dung' or 'filth,' evolving to describe loose earth..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word *durþą
Meaning The Proto-Germanic root *durþą referred to 'dung' or 'filth,' evolving to describe loose earth.
Language Proto-Germanic
First Recorded Use Old English

History

The term 'dirt' has a long linguistic history, evolving from Proto-Germanic to Old Norse 'dyrtr' and Old English 'dyrt.' Initially denoting excrement or mud, its meaning broadened to encompass loose earth or soil. The use of 'dirt' as a color name is a modern, descriptive association with the common appearance of soil.

First Recorded Use

The word 'dirt' entered Old English as 'dyrt,' signifying 'filth' or 'mire.' Its application as a color descriptor for a specific brown hue is more recent and informal.

Cultural Associations

Culturally, 'dirt' is universally associated with earth, agriculture, and the natural world, often carrying connotations of grounding or grubbiness. In art and design, 'dirt colors' are frequently used to evoke natural landscapes, rustic aesthetics, or a sense of age and wear. Its informal nature as a color name reflects its direct, everyday association.

Similar Named Colors
Pale Brown #987654 ΔE 0.99
Liver Chestnut #987456 ΔE 1.79
Chamoisee #A0785A ΔE 2.61
French Beige #A67B5B ΔE 3.55

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #9B7653;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #9B7653;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #9B7653;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #9B7653,
        #6D9CC9
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #9B7653,
        #6D9CC9
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$dirt: #9B7653;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$dirt-r: 155;
$dirt-g: 118;
$dirt-b: 83;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $dirt;
    color: rgba($dirt-r, $dirt-g, $dirt-b, 0.8);
}