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DarkViolet and Purple

Contrasting color combination with 1.44:1 contrast ratio

#9400D3
#800080

Color Values

DarkViolet
HEX #9400D3
RGB 148, 0, 211
HSL 282, 100%, 41%
Purple
HEX #800080
RGB 128, 0, 128
HSL 300, 100%, 25%

Harmony: Contrasting

These colors sit far enough apart on the wheel to create clear contrast without falling into a named harmony. The pairing works through difference rather than relationship, which suits designs that want variety over cohesion.

The hue angle between DarkViolet and Purple is 18 degrees. You can explore these relationships interactively in our Color Wheel Tool.

WCAG Contrast

1.44:1
DarkViolet background with Purple text
Below AA — decorative use only

UI Preview

DarkViolet surface

Sample text on a darkviolet background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

Purple surface

Sample text on a purple background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

Design Tokens

CSS Variables

:root {
  --color-a: #9400D3;
  --color-b: #800080;
  --color-a-rgb: 148, 0, 211;
  --color-b-rgb: 128, 0, 128;
}

JSON

{
  "name": "DarkViolet and Purple",
  "colors": [
    {
      "name": "DarkViolet",
      "hex": "#9400D3",
      "rgb": [
        148,
        0,
        211
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Purple",
      "hex": "#800080",
      "rgb": [
        128,
        0,
        128
      ]
    }
  ],
  "harmony": "Contrasting",
  "contrastRatio": 1.44
}

Explore These Colors

Frequently Asked Questions

Do darkviolet and purple go together?

Yes. DarkViolet and Purple form a contrasting color combination. These colors sit far enough apart on the wheel to create clear contrast without falling into a named harmony. The pairing works through difference rather than relationship, which suits designs that want variety over cohesion. The pairing has a WCAG contrast ratio of 1.44:1, which is below the AA threshold for text — use it for decorative purposes rather than text readability.

What is the contrast ratio between darkviolet and purple?

The WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio between DarkViolet (#9400D3) and Purple (#800080) is 1.44:1. This ratio is below AA. Use the pairing for backgrounds, borders, and decorative elements rather than text-on-background combinations.

How do I use darkviolet and purple in design?

A safe starting point is the 60/30/10 rule: give one color about 60 percent of the surface area, the other about 30 percent, and reserve the remaining 10 percent for an accent or neutral. If one color is significantly darker, use it for text or structural elements and the lighter one for backgrounds. Test the result with our Contrast Checker if text is involved.

What are the hex and RGB values for darkviolet and purple?

DarkViolet has the hex code #9400D3 and RGB values rgb(148, 0, 211). Purple has the hex code #800080 and RGB values rgb(128, 0, 128). You can copy these directly into CSS or use the design tokens provided on this page.