Khaki
HEX: #C3B091 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#C3B091
195, 176, 145
37°, 29% ,66%
0, 10, 26, 24
About Khaki
Khaki (#C3B091) is a color with RGB(195, 176, 145) and HSL(37.2°, 29.4%, 66.7%). In design, it fits Muted, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Border, Print. Its complementary color is #91A4C3, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #91C3B0 and #B091C3. The name comes from khākī (Hindi).
- HEX: #C3B091
- RGB: 195, 176, 145
- HSL: 37.2°, 29.4%, 66.7%
- Style: Muted, Warm
- Use case: Text, Border, Print
- Complementary color: #91A4C3
- Triadic colors: #91C3B0, #B091C3
- The name comes from khākī (Hindi).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #C3B091 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'khaki' itself derives from the Persian word 'khāk' (dust) and its Hindi derivative 'khākī'. The color was adopted by the British Indian Army for its practical camouflage benefits in the dusty terrain of India. Prior to this, British soldiers wore bright red coats, which made them easy targets. The success of khaki in India led to its adoption by other British regiments and eventually by armies worldwide. During the First and Second World Wars, khaki became the standard uniform color for many nations. Its use has since expanded beyond military applications to workwear, fashion, and outdoor apparel, valued for its durability and neutral tone.
First Recorded Use
The term 'khaki' was first used in a military context in British India in the mid-19th century. The Corps of Guides, formed in 1846, was the first to adopt khaki uniforms for active service.
Cultural Associations
Khaki is strongly associated with military uniforms, particularly those from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It evokes images of adventure, utility, and a certain ruggedness. In fashion, khaki is considered a versatile neutral, often used in casual wear, safari styles, and preppy aesthetics. It can symbolize practicality and understated elegance. Its widespread adoption in various contexts has made it a ubiquitous color in modern society.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #C3B091;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #C3B091;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #C3B091;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#C3B091,
#91A4C3
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#C3B091,
#91A4C3
);
}// SCSS variable
$khaki: #C3B091;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$khaki-r: 195;
$khaki-g: 176;
$khaki-b: 145;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $khaki;
color: rgba($khaki-r, $khaki-g, $khaki-b, 0.8);
}