#ADC0D6 · #CDBBA4
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 100/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 63/100 (somewhat similar) · Match 39/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
BlueThistle and Tan are a clear pair (ΔE 28). They have near-opposite hues (179° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
BlueThistle text on Tan: 1.00:1 (Fail); Tan text on BlueThistle: 1.00:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #3E4F61 clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 100/100). 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 #3E4F61 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 28 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 28).
Explore each color: BlueThistle #ADC0D6 · Tan #CDBBA4 · Shades: BlueThistle shades · Tan shades · Contrast checker →