Old Lavender

HEX: #796878 | Modern Palette

On White
5.17:1
PASS
On Black
4.06:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#796878
RGB
121, 104, 120
HSL
303°, 14% ,47%
CMYK
0, 14.05, 0.83, 52.55

About Old Lavender

Old Lavender (#796878) is a color with RGB(121, 104, 120) and HSL(303.53°, 14.05%, 47.45%). In design, it fits Muted, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #687969, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #787968 and #687879. The name comes from Old Lavender (English).

  • HEX: #796878
  • RGB: 121, 104, 120
  • HSL: 303.53°, 14.05%, 47.45%
  • Style: Muted, Warm
  • Use case: Text, Background, Border
  • Complementary color: #687969
  • Triadic colors: #787968, #687879
  • The name comes from Old Lavender (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

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

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 #796878 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Style
Muted Warm
Use case
Text Background Border

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #6D6D78
Protanopia #6A6A78
Tritanopia #776A6A
Achromatopsia #6D6D6D

Frequently Asked Questions

Old Lavender (#796878) is a color with RGB(121, 104, 120) and HSL(303.53°, 14.05%, 47.45%).

#796878 pairs strongly with #687969 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#796878 is suitable for Text, Background, Border and works well with Muted, Warm styles.

The name Old Lavender is linked to Old Lavender from English, meaning A specific shade of lavender, often associated with an older, more muted or faded appearance..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Old Lavender
Meaning A specific shade of lavender, often associated with an older, more muted or faded appearance.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th Century

History

The term 'Old Lavender' emerged in the late 19th century, likely as a descriptive color name in fashion, interior design, and possibly botanical contexts. It distinguishes itself from brighter or more vibrant lavenders, suggesting a softer, perhaps more 'vintage' or 'antique' hue. The 'old' prefix is common in color naming to denote a muted, desaturated, or classic version of a color (e.g., 'old rose', 'old gold'). Its usage peaked in the early to mid-20th century.

First Recorded Use

1890s

Cultural Associations

Culturally, 'Old Lavender' evokes a sense of nostalgia, gentleness, and often femininity. It has been popular in vintage aesthetics, shabby chic decor, and for items intended to have a classic or antique feel. It's less about the age of the item and more about the aesthetic quality of the color itself. It can be associated with heirloom items, delicate fabrics, and a bygone era of elegance.

Similar Named Colors
Deep Taupe #7E5E60 ΔE 8.64
Chinese Violet #856088 ΔE 9.19
Mountbatten Pink #997A8D ΔE 9.71
Rhythm #777696 ΔE 9.73

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #796878;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #796878;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #796878;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #796878,
        #688A6A
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #796878,
        #688A6A
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$old-lavender: #796878;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$old-lavender-r: 121;
$old-lavender-g: 104;
$old-lavender-b: 120;

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