Dark is a range
Pure black creates the maximum possible contrast with light text. That can look sharp in a screenshot, yet become tiring across a long reading session. A slightly lifted, tinted near-black gives the eye a quieter foundation.
The tint should belong to the product. A cool neutral can feel precise; a warm neutral can feel editorial. The difference may be subtle, but it helps the interface feel composed rather than merely inverted.
Separate surfaces gently
Dark interfaces need hierarchy without a stack of glowing borders. Small luminance steps between the page, panel, and interactive surface are usually enough. Reserve stronger contrast for controls and selected states.
Test the real content
A palette is not finished when the swatches look balanced. Test paragraphs, muted metadata, disabled controls, images, and long sessions in a dim room. Dark mode succeeds when content remains comfortable and relationships stay obvious.