#002223 · #281900
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 97/100 (split-complementary) · Distinguishable 67/100 (somewhat similar) · Match 44/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Deep Vivid Cyan and Deep Vivid Yellow are a clear pair (ΔE 25). They have distinctly different hues (144° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Deep Vivid Cyan text on Deep Vivid Yellow: 1.02:1 (Fail); Deep Vivid Yellow text on Deep Vivid Cyan: 1.02:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #678A8A clears it.
Split-complementary — split-complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 97/100). This is about how they look together (clothing, interiors, branding), independent of text contrast.
Not at body size — the best direction is only 1.0:1, below the 4.5:1 minimum. Nudging one colour to #678A8A clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 25 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 25).
Explore each color: Deep Vivid Cyan #002223 · Deep Vivid Yellow #281900 · Shades: Deep Vivid Cyan shades · Deep Vivid Yellow shades · Contrast checker →