Grullo

HEX: #A99A86 | Modern Palette

On White
2.74:1
FAIL
On Black
7.65:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#A99A86
RGB
169, 154, 134
HSL
34°, 16% ,59%
CMYK
0, 9, 21, 34

About Grullo

Grullo (#A99A86) is a color with RGB(169, 154, 134) and HSL(34.3°, 16.9%, 59.4%). It is commonly associated with Earthy moods. In design, it fits Muted, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #8695A9, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #86A99A and #9A86A9. The name comes from grullo (Spanish).

  • HEX: #A99A86
  • RGB: 169, 154, 134
  • HSL: 34.3°, 16.9%, 59.4%
  • Mood: Earthy
  • Style: Muted, Warm
  • Use case: Text, Background, Border
  • Complementary color: #8695A9
  • Triadic colors: #86A99A, #9A86A9
  • The name comes from grullo (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 #A99A86 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Earthy
Style
Muted Warm

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9F9F86
Protanopia #9C9C86
Tritanopia #AB9898
Achromatopsia #9C9C9C

Frequently Asked Questions

Grullo (#A99A86) is a color with RGB(169, 154, 134) and HSL(34.3°, 16.9%, 59.4%).

#A99A86 pairs strongly with #8695A9 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#A99A86 is suitable for Text, Background, Border and works well with Muted, Warm styles.

#A99A86 is commonly associated with Earthy.

The name Grullo is linked to grullo from Spanish, meaning crane-like, or a specific shade of grey.

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word grullo
Meaning crane-like, or a specific shade of grey
Language Spanish
First Recorded Use Late 19th - Early 20th Century

History

The word 'grullo' is Spanish for a specific type of grey, often associated with the color of a sandhill crane. In the context of horse coat colors, it describes a dun dilution of a black base coat. This results in a 'smoky' or 'mousey' grey-brown body, often with primitive markings like a dorsal stripe, leg barring, and a dark mane and tail. The term was adopted into English to precisely describe this genetic color, distinguishing it from other grey or dun variations. Its use became more widespread with the rise of breed registries that meticulously document coat colors, such as the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association.

First Recorded Use

The term 'grullo' as a horse coat color descriptor gained traction in English-speaking equestrian circles, particularly in North America, as specific color genetics became better understood and categorized. While the Spanish word existed much earlier, its specific application to horses in English is more recent.

Cultural Associations

Grullo horses are highly prized by many equestrians for their unique and striking appearance. They are often associated with Western riding disciplines and ranch work, where hardy and visually distinct horses are appreciated. The color is considered 'primitive' due to the presence of dun markings, which are thought to be ancestral traits. This adds to their appeal for those interested in historical or natural horse types. The term itself, being Spanish, also reflects the historical influence of Spanish horsemanship and horse breeds (like the Iberian horses brought to the Americas) on Western riding culture.

Similar Named Colors

Khaki #C3B091 ΔE 7.46
Pale Taupe #BC987E ΔE 7.99
Light Taupe #B38B6D ΔE 9.64
Camel #C19A6B ΔE 9.83

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #A99A86;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #A99A86;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #A99A86;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #A99A86,
        #8695A9
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #A99A86,
        #8695A9
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$grullo: #A99A86;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$grullo-r: 169;
$grullo-g: 154;
$grullo-b: 134;

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