Dark Mode UI: Best Practices for Designers

Dark mode has gone from being a novelty to a user expectation. But designing for it isn’t as simple as inverting colors—it’s a challenge in contrast, readability, and emotion.

Why Dark Mode?

Users choose dark mode for a variety of reasons: reduced eye strain, battery savings, or personal preference. But a poor implementation can cause just as much strain as a bright UI.

Best Practices

• Use true grays: Avoid pure black; dark grays are easier on the eyes.
• Elevate with shadows: In dark environments, shadows help maintain visual hierarchy.
• Test contrast ratios: Follow WCAG standards for text readability.
• Brand integration: Adapt brand colors thoughtfully to fit dark themes.

Design Tokens and Theming

Modern design systems use tokens to maintain consistency across themes. Toggle between light and dark without writing duplicate styles.

"A well-designed dark mode interface feels elegant, not gloomy." — Isabelle Chen

Watch for Pitfalls

Be cautious with pure white text on pure black backgrounds. Also, test how images and illustrations render in dark environments.

Need help implementing dark mode in your product? Let’s chat!

— Isabelle Chen, Product Designer