whitesmoke

Whitesmoke (#F5F5F5) is a very light, clean neutral grey CSS named colour, barely distinguishable from white but with just enough grey to prevent the harshness of pure white on bright screens. One of the most widely used CSS near-whites for page backgrounds, it provides a clean, eye-comfortable alternative to #FFFFFF that reduces contrast fatigue in long-form text and UI design. The name suggests the translucent quality of white smoke — present but barely perceptible.

Near-whites and off-whites radiate purity, simplicity, and spacious clarity. They feel open and unbounded, associated with cleanliness, fresh starts, and minimalism. These tones create a sense of potential and possibility, inviting focus on content.

Off-whites are preferred over pure white for page backgrounds to reduce glare. They feel warmer while maintaining a clean, bright aesthetic. Use for primary backgrounds and content areas where visual breathing room is needed.