Manatee

HEX: #979AAA | Modern Palette

On White
2.79:1
FAIL
On Black
7.52:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#979AAA
RGB
151, 154, 170
HSL
230°, 11% ,66%
CMYK
11.18, 9.41, 0, 33.33

About Manatee

Manatee (#979AAA) is a color with RGB(151, 154, 170) and HSL(230.53°, 11.18%, 66.67%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #AAA797, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #AA979A and #9AAA97. The name comes from manatí (Spanish).

  • HEX: #979AAA
  • RGB: 151, 154, 170
  • HSL: 230.53°, 11.18%, 66.67%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Muted, Cool
  • Use case: Text, Background, Border
  • Complementary color: #AAA797
  • Triadic colors: #AA979A, #9AAA97
  • The name comes from manatí (Spanish).

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 #979AAA from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Muted Cool
Use case
Text Background Border

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9999AA
Protanopia #9A9AAA
Tritanopia #959C9C
Achromatopsia #9B9B9B

Frequently Asked Questions

Manatee (#979AAA) is a color with RGB(151, 154, 170) and HSL(230.53°, 11.18%, 66.67%).

#979AAA pairs strongly with #AAA797 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#979AAA is suitable for Text, Background, Border and works well with Muted, Cool styles.

#979AAA is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Manatee is linked to manatí from Spanish, meaning manatee.

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word manatí
Meaning manatee
Language Spanish
First Recorded Use 16th Century

History

European explorers encountered manatees in the Caribbean and Americas. The Spanish adopted a local indigenous term, 'manatí', to describe these creatures. English speakers then borrowed the term from Spanish. Early descriptions often focused on their aquatic nature and gentle demeanor. There were also historical myths and legends associating manatees with mermaids, likely due to their human-like upper bodies and the way they nurse their young.

First Recorded Use

The word 'manatee' entered English through Spanish 'manatí', which itself is believed to have originated from a Carib language (possibly Taino) word 'manattí' meaning 'breast' or 'udder', referring to the animal's mammary glands.

Cultural Associations

Manatees hold cultural significance in various regions where they are found, particularly in Florida (USA) and parts of the Caribbean and South America. They are often seen as symbols of peace and gentleness. In some indigenous cultures, they may have played a role in folklore or spiritual beliefs. Today, they are iconic symbols of wildlife conservation efforts, especially in Florida, where they are a protected species and a major tourist attraction.

Similar Named Colors
Cool Grey #8C92AC ΔE 4.59
Roman Silver #838996 ΔE 6.40
Cadet Grey #91A3B0 ΔE 7.69
Spanish Gray #989898 ΔE 7.73

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #979AAA;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #979AAA;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #979AAA;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #979AAA,
        #B4B1A1
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #979AAA,
        #B4B1A1
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$manatee: #979AAA;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$manatee-r: 151;
$manatee-g: 154;
$manatee-b: 170;

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