Key Difference: Black is defined as the darkest color, which results from the absence of all color or light. Off-black or shades of black differ only slightly from pure black. They are very dark shades of other colors.

Black and Off-black are both shades of black. While black is the absence of all colors and light, off-black is darker shades of grey or other colors that resemble black.

Black is defined as the darkest color, which results from the absence of all color or light. It is also known as the opposite of white. The term ‘black’ is derived from Old English ‘blæc’ meaning “black, dark or ink"; from Proto-Germanic ‘blakkaz’ meaning "burned"; from Proto-Indo-European ‘bhleg-‘meaning “to burn, gleam, shine or flash.”

Black has been associated with a lot of religious, culture, history references; for example in some nations black is considered as an unlucky color, it is associated with the devil worship and dark things. In some cultures, black is used as a color of mourning or elegance. 

There are different types of black which range from ebony, charcoal black to jet black. In terms of hair color, a person who has a higher amount of eumelanin pigments in their skin, results the hair to become a dark black color. In hair, the black color can be soft black, blue-black or silver black.

Off-black or shades of black differ only slightly from pure black. They are very dark shades of other colors. Off-black colors are considered part of a neutral color scheme, usually in interior design or hair color. In hair color, they are considered as a very dark shade of gray that could almost be black but is a shade lighter. Off-black colors include ebony, onyx, black olive, charcoal, etc. This color is becoming increasing popular in garments, hair color and interior designing. It is also becoming a popular trend in order to vary from black as black has become commercial.

Image Courtesy: fanpop.com, vpfashion.com