The meaning behind whitesmoke
About the color
Whitesmoke was created in 1987 for the world wide web. Its neutrality was considered particularly suitable for video displays. The color meaning of whitesmoke is not quite the same as pure white, though some of the same qualities could be attributed to it, depending on how it is used in graphic design.
The color name is derived from how this hue is formulated. Whitesmoke contains a hint of gray, which makes it cool as opposed to warmer shades of off-white such as cream, ivory, and vanilla that contain touches of yellow.
Because this hue has a pale gray cast, it has its own set of characteristics unlike those traditionally associated with darker gray colors, which often bring to mind neutrality and conformity. Sometimes whitesmoke shares the characteristics of white, including purity, innocence, new beginnings, and peace. More often, though, this particular hue comes across as calm, collected, mature in the best way, and stylish.
Yellow-tinged off-white colors can appear feminine, but this particular hue is gender-neutral, thanks to its coolness from the addition of a touch of gray. This unbiased quality makes whitesmoke useful in many applications, including as a background for other complementary colors such as maroon, dusty rose, lavender, mauve, and cool, light tints of pink and blue.
The whitesmoke hex code, #F5F5F5, lightens cool, darker palettes without the shock of pure white or the clash of warmer off-whites. Versatile and fashion-forward, this hue brings a spirit of quiet sophistication wherever it appears.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| HEX | #F5F5F5 |
| RGB | 245, 245, 245 |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 0, 0.04 |
Application in design
The whitesmoke color code, invented for digital displays, still works well for web pages. It is ideal for use in large amounts and effectively sets off other darker or brighter colors. Use it to give web page designs understated elegance. Because whitesmoke is an off-white hue, it works as a substitute for pure white. This makes it relevant to items related to peace, spirituality, hope, and new beginnings.
This stylish shade is also an effective choice for materials in the fashion industry, whether printed or virtual. It can feature as a backdrop or be included in the color scheme for a cool, poised aesthetic.
In contrast to youthful, fun-loving shades that are often associated with teens and children, whitesmoke serves well in industries catering to more mature customers, including real estate, travel, and assisted living communities. This is not to say that whitesmoke is stodgy. Rather, its maturity lends strength and a sense of grace wherever it is used. Its quiet presence makes it a good choice for art galleries, museums, and libraries.
The iciness of whitesmoke makes it a solid choice for seasonal materials about winter. It works equally well in print or on digital screens. Whitesmoke’s self-assurance and sense of neutrality make it effective in materials for social events and advertisements targeting all genders.
