Dark mode, or dark theme, is moving from being a niche preference to a widespread expectation, as it has native support in major operating systems and is experiencing exponential adoption on websites.
More than just a visually appealing trend, dark mode is increasingly recognized as essential in important web areas, from improving user experience and ensuring digital accessibility to contributing to sustainability goals.
More than just a design trend, Dark Mode offers a wide range of benefits focused on creating more effective digital experiences.
Dark interfaces, by default, draw attention to colorful content elements, making images and key user interface components stand out more impactfully.
Dark mode does not imply the use of completely black backgrounds; in fact, from a user experience (UX) perspective, pure black can cause eye strain and create excessively harsh contrast. Instead, it is preferable to implement a palette of deep, muted tones that create contrast without compromising brand consistency. Many dark themes use dark grays, deep blues, or enriched charcoal tones as base colors, complemented by color accents that stand out against the dark background.
Depending on the context, these dark tones are associated with elegance, sophistication, modernity, exclusivity, and comfort. Some brands may benefit from dark mode if these values align with their identity. In other cases, the dark palette should be carefully selected to ensure consistency with brand values while maintaining readability and visual harmony.
UX design puts the user first by addressing their needs and improving their interaction with a product or service. Dark mode perfectly illustrates this user-centered approach by offering a design option that respects individual preferences and promotes digital well-being. More and more, users expect websites to recognize and adapt to their operating system's dark mode settings.
Beyond a mere preference, dark mode offers benefits for people with light sensitivity, migraines, or visual impairments. It provides significant relief by reducing eye strain during prolonged screen use. It improves readability, especially in low-light conditions, and can be particularly useful for those with photophobia.
Web accessibility should be a standard that is considered from the design phase, not an afterthought, as it is a legal requirement in some areas of many countries.
Dark mode can be a valuable tool for meeting accessibility requirements, especially in terms of contrast. If the brand’s visual guidelines are strict or if you use colors that don’t meet the minimum contrast ratios in light mode, adding a dark theme is an excellent solution to meet the WCAG minimum contrast criterion, as visual guidelines tend to be more flexible in dark mode.
Remember that dark mode does not replace accessible design, but rather serves as a complementary feature that can improve accessibility when implemented thoughtfully.
Dark mode is not only visually appealing, but it can also contribute to environmental sustainability. Technologies such as OLED and AMOLED displays use significantly less energy when displaying dark colors because they selectively illuminate only the necessary pixels. In battery-powered devices, where these technologies are common (smartphones, tablets, laptops), dark mode helps extend battery life.
During the process of browsing a website, the environmental impact is greater than many realize. Approximately 50% of the energy required to display a website is consumed by the end user's device. By offering a dark mode option, websites and applications can contribute to a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions, especially on high-traffic platforms with millions of users.
As organizations increasingly prioritize sustainable digital practices, implementing dark mode is a relatively simple design change that can have a significant collective impact on reducing the digital carbon footprint.
Dark mode is more than just a visual preference. Its aesthetic benefits are combined with improvements in user experience, advancements in accessibility, and significant contributions to sustainability. For websites that want to be relevant, responsible, and truly user-centered, adopting dark mode is not just advisable, but essential.
Fran Rouco
Face-to-face and online training for development and product teams.
