Gunmetal grey has industrial roots. “Gunmetal” originally referred to a bronze alloy used for making firearms and casting, and later evolved to refer to the dark, metallic grey color. This cool, deep tone embodies strength, reliability, and technological advancement. Professional environments incorporate gunmetal grey to establish authority and competence, while high-end brands use it to convey premium quality. Contemporary designers are drawn to its versatility, using it as a base tone in commercial and residential spaces, where it creates an urban atmosphere when paired with off-whites or vibrant accent colors. There's a growing trend toward incorporating it with warmer, earthier tones to soften its industrial edge.
In digital design, gunmetal grey presents as a deep grey with subtle blue undertones, represented by the hex code #2C353A and RGB values of R:44, G:53, B:58. The CMYK values, C:65%, M:45%, Y:42%, and K:85%, are used in print materials where the high black component creates a dark base, and the remaining color values work together to add the metallic undertone that distinguishes gunmetal grey from other neutral greys.
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