The Legibility Issue with Black Custom Name Colours

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

The Legibility Issue with Black Custom Name Colours

A Problem of Visibility

In online communities, usernames play a crucial role in identifying individual users. However, when it comes to custom usernames in black, a significant issue arises - they become almost illegible. This problem is not limited to custom usernames; even the BBCode equivalent, which has a shadow for a border effect, struggles with legibility at smaller sizes. The main issue here is that black usernames blend in with the background, making them difficult to read.

The Impact of Colour on Legibility

Colour plays a vital role in determining the legibility of text. When the text colour is the same as the background colour, it becomes challenging to read. This is because the brain relies on contrast to distinguish between different elements on a screen. When there is no contrast, the text becomes invisible, or at least, very difficult to read. In the case of black custom usernames, the lack of contrast with the background makes them hard to identify.

The Full Dark Theme: A Temporary Solution

The full dark theme provides a temporary solution to this problem. As shown in the image above, the black usernames become more visible against the dark background. However, this is not a permanent solution, as users may not always be on the full dark theme. Moreover, this solution does not address the issue of the BBCode tag, which still remains illegible at smaller sizes.

A Better Alternative: #737373

Considering the above issues, a better alternative is to change the colour of both the BBCode tag and the custom username to #737373, which is the same colour used for genderless characters. This colour is more legible and provides sufficient contrast with the background. By adopting this colour, we can ensure that usernames are easily readable, regardless of the theme or size.

Benefits of Using #737373

Using #737373 as the colour for usernames has several benefits. Firstly, it provides sufficient contrast with the background, making it easier to read. Secondly, it is a consistent colour that is used for genderless characters, making it a logical choice for usernames. Finally, it is a colour that is easily readable, even at smaller sizes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of illegible black custom name colours is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. By changing the colour of both the BBCode tag and the custom username to #737373, we can ensure that usernames are easily readable, regardless of the theme or size. This solution provides a better alternative to the current situation and is a more logical choice for usernames.

Recommendations

Based on the above discussion, we recommend the following:

Change the colour of both the BBCode tag and the custom username to #737373.
Ensure that this colour is consistent across all themes and sizes.
Test the new colour to ensure that it is easily readable and provides sufficient contrast with the background.

By implementing these recommendations, we can improve the legibility of usernames and provide a better user experience for our community members.
Frequently Asked Questions: Black Custom Name Colours

Q: Why are black custom name colours illegible?

A: Black custom name colours are illegible because they blend in with the background, making it difficult to read. This is due to the lack of contrast between the text colour and the background colour.

Q: What is the issue with the BBCode tag?

A: The BBCode tag has a shadow for a border effect, but it is not particularly legible at smaller sizes. This is because the text colour is still black, which blends in with the background.

Q: How does the full dark theme address the issue?

A: The full dark theme provides a temporary solution to the issue by making the black usernames more visible against the dark background. However, this is not a permanent solution, as users may not always be on the full dark theme.

Q: Why is #737373 a better alternative?

A: #737373 is a better alternative because it provides sufficient contrast with the background, making it easier to read. It is also a consistent colour that is used for genderless characters, making it a logical choice for usernames.

Q: What are the benefits of using #737373?

A: The benefits of using #737373 include:

Sufficient contrast with the background, making it easier to read
Consistency with the colour used for genderless characters
Easy readability, even at smaller sizes

Q: How can we ensure that #737373 is easily readable?

A: To ensure that #737373 is easily readable, we can test the new colour to ensure that it provides sufficient contrast with the background. We can also ensure that the colour is consistent across all themes and sizes.

Q: What are the recommendations for implementing #737373?

A: The recommendations for implementing #737373 include:

Changing the colour of both the BBCode tag and the custom username to #737373
Ensuring that this colour is consistent across all themes and sizes
Testing the new colour to ensure that it is easily readable and provides sufficient contrast with the background

Q: Why is it important to address the issue of illegible black custom name colours?

A: It is important to address the issue of illegible black custom name colours because it affects the user experience. By making usernames more readable, we can improve the overall experience for our community members.

Q: How can we get feedback on the new colour?

A: We can get feedback on the new colour by testing it with a small group of users and gathering feedback. We can also use online tools to test the colour and gather feedback from a larger group of users.

Q: What are the next steps in implementing #737373?

A: The next steps in implementing #737373 include:

Changing the colour of both the BBCode tag and the custom username to #737373
Ensuring that this colour is consistent across all themes and sizes
Testing the new colour to ensure that it is easily readable and provides sufficient contrast with the background

By following these steps, we can ensure that #737373 is a successful solution to the issue of illegible black custom name colours.