Apple UI Colors

macOS Unemphasized Selected Text Background

NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor
Typographic & Label Hierarchy
Adaptive System Token•macOS 10.10+ / 10.14+, AppKit

Complete technical specification and developer reference for Unemphasized Selected Text Background in Apple's macOS design system. In light appearance, it resolves to HEX #DCDCDC; in dark appearance, it dynamically adapts to HEX #464646. Features wide-gamut Display P3 values, UIKit bridge (UIColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor), AppKit bridge (NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor), WCAG contrast audit, and Xcode drop-in initializers.

Light Mode#DCDCDC
Dark Mode#464646
Unemphasized Selected Text Background Color Preview

A background for selected text in a non-key window or view.

ColorNSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor
Copy:
Dynamic Asset
Typographic & Label Hierarchy
macOS 10.10+ / 10.14+, AppKit
Initializers & Color Spaces
Color(r:g:b:)Color(red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863)
Color(r:g:b:op:)Color(red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863, opacity: 1.00)
Color(hue:sat:bri:)HSBColor(hue: 0.000, saturation: 0.000, brightness: 0.863, opacity: 1.00)
Color(.displayP3)Wide GamutColor(.displayP3, red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863, opacity: 1.00)
Color(.sRGB)Color(.sRGB, red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863, opacity: 1.00)
Color(hex:)ExtensionColor(hex: "#DCDCDC")
#colorLiteralXcode#colorLiteral(red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863, alpha: 1.00)
Color(uiColor:)iOSColor(uiColor: UIColor(red: 0.863, green: 0.863, blue: 0.863, alpha: 1.00))
Active HEX: #DCDCDCP3 R: 0.863 G: 0.863 B: 0.863

Technical Color Specifications

Exact resolved HEX codes, sRGB 8-bit components, HSL, and normalized Swift floating-point decimals for Light and Dark modes.

Color Metric / SpaceLight AppearanceDark AppearanceSwift Code Literal
HEX Code#DCDCDC#464646Color(hex: "#DCDCDC")
sRGB (0–255)rgb(220, 220, 220)rgb(70, 70, 70)(r: 0.863, g: 0.863, b: 0.863)
Display P3 (Wide Gamut)P3 (0.863, 0.863, 0.863)P3 (0.275, 0.275, 0.275)Color(.displayP3, ...)
HSL / HSBhsl(0, 0%, 86%)hsl(0, 0%, 27%)Color(hue:sat:bri:)
Platform BridgeUIKit: UIColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColorAppKit: NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColorColor(uiColor:) / Color(nsColor:)

Light Appearance

Light Theme
HEX Code
#DCDCDC
RGB (0–255)
rgb(220, 220, 220)
HSL
hsl(0, 0%, 86%)
Normalized Swift Literal:
(r: 0.863, g: 0.863, b: 0.863)

Dark Appearance

Dark Theme
HEX Code
#464646
RGB (0–255)
rgb(70, 70, 70)
HSL
hsl(0, 0%, 27%)
Normalized Swift Literal:
(r: 0.275, g: 0.275, b: 0.275)

Drop-In Developer Snippets

Ready-to-paste code blocks for Xcode asset catalogs and Swift files.

Xcode Location: Save as Contents.json inside Assets.xcassets/Unemphasized Selected Text Background.colorset/
Includes Light + Dark Modes
Contents.json
{
  "colors": [
    {
      "color": {
        "color-space": "srgb",
        "components": {
          "red": "0.863",
          "green": "0.863",
          "blue": "0.863",
          "alpha": "1.000"
        }
      },
      "idiom": "universal"
    },
    {
      "appearances": [
        {
          "appearance": "luminosity",
          "value": "dark"
        }
      ],
      "color": {
        "color-space": "srgb",
        "components": {
          "red": "0.275",
          "green": "0.275",
          "blue": "0.275",
          "alpha": "1.000"
        }
      },
      "idiom": "universal"
    }
  ],
  "info": {
    "author": "xcode",
    "version": 1
  }
}

Live UI Component Sandbox

Preview Color.unemphasized selected text background inside standard Apple interface components.

Interactive Controls
Active TagBadge 99+
Toggle Tint
Container & Typography Styling

●SwiftUI Notification

Just now

Demonstrates how Apple designers pair system background tints with dynamic Unemphasized Selected Text Background accents.

Dynamic Headline in Unemphasized Selected Text Background

.foregroundStyle(NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor)

Platform Implementation Snippets

Ready-to-use Swift code for SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit applications.

AppKit (macOS Swift)
// AppKit (macOS)
let button = NSButton()
button.contentTintColor = NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor

// Custom Layer Tint
let layer = CALayer()
layer.backgroundColor = NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor.cgColor

// Bridging AppKit into SwiftUI
let swiftUIColor = Color(nsColor: .unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor)

WCAG 2.1 Accessibility Contrast Audit

Contrast calculations of Unemphasized Selected Text Background against pure white and iOS OLED dark surfaces.

Light Mode (#DCDCDC)on White (#FFF)
Contrast Ratio:1.37:1
Normal Text (4.5:1 AA): Fail
Dark Mode (#464646)on Dark (#1C1C1E)
Contrast Ratio:1.80:1
Normal Text (4.5:1 AA): Fail

Recommended HIG Use Cases

  • Table view and outline view cells
  • Window title bar text and dialog headings
  • Form field captions and status labels

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

  • Full window background surfaces
  • Thick border fills

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor in macOS AppKit apps?

In AppKit, assign NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor to NSView, NSTextField, or NSButton styling. In SwiftUI on macOS, bridge it using Color(nsColor: .unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor).

What is the HEX code for macOS Unemphasized Selected Text Background in light and dark mode?

In light appearance, Unemphasized Selected Text Background resolves to #DCDCDC. In dark appearance, it automatically adapts to #464646.

How do I bridge NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor into SwiftUI?

In SwiftUI views on macOS, instantiate Color(nsColor: .unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor) to access the native AppKit dynamic color token.

Does Unemphasized Selected Text Background adapt to Dark Mode and vibrancy in macOS?

Yes, NSColor.unemphasizedSelectedTextBackgroundColor is an appearance-aware NSColor that updates automatically when switching between light and dark modes or across vibrant desktop materials.

Why use AppKit system colors instead of hardcoded hex values?

NSColor system tokens adapt automatically to user accent color preferences, Dark Mode, and accessibility contrast settings.