Below Zero
Also known as: Pool Tiles , Airy Blue , Afternoon Sky , Anakiwa
Part of the cyan family, Below Zero pairs a soft base with a cool and clear presence. It belongs in tech interfaces and water themes. Reach for a orange companion shade to give Below Zero maximum contrast. Accessibility-wise, it needs a dark backdrop: 11.99:1 on black clears AA.
Reference
Below Zero color codes
- HEX
- #87CDED
- RGB
- rgb(135, 205, 237)
- RGBA
- rgba(135, 205, 237, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(199, 74%, 73%)
- HSV
- hsv(199, 43%, 93%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(43%, 14%, 0%, 7%)
- LAB
- lab(78.6 -16.7 -23.2)
- OKLCH
- oklch(81.3% 0.083 228.6)
Analysis
Color intelligence
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Gamut
The full range of colors a device or space can show. sRGB is the common screen gamut; Display P3 is wider. A color outside a gamut cannot be shown accurately there and must be mapped inward.Full glossary entry →Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
Undertone
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cool
Nearest standard colors
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →- CSS: skyblue #87CEEB · ΔE 1.1
- RAL 6034: Pastel turquoise #7FB0B2 · ΔE 13.0 · approximate
RAL values are widely published approximations of the physical standard. For Pantone-adjacent workflows, match by eye against a physical fan deck. Pantone's values are proprietary and device-dependent, so we don't print lookups.
Where Below Zero works
- Web & UI: Reads as an interactive accent: fills, hovers, focus rings. Keep body text in a darker neutral.
- Interiors: Use it where you want the eye to land: a front door, built-ins, or one bold wall.
- Fashion: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.
- Branding: The safest brand-primary family there is; differentiate with an unexpected accent.
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette: packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Below Zero
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Harmonies
Color harmonies
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →Palettes built from Below Zero by rotating its hue in OKLCH space. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split-complementary
Tetradic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast & accessibility
Aa on white
contrast 1.75:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 11.99:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Below Zero background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Below Zero
Below Zero with its complement
Soft neighbors of Below Zero
Below Zero triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Fish Pond #86C8ED · ΔE 2.3
- Sky Fall #89C6DF · ΔE 2.6
- Sky #76D6FF · ΔE 3.4
- Dolphin #86C4DA · ΔE 3.7
- Fail Whale #99CCEE · ΔE 3.8
- Blue Mana #68C2F5 · ΔE 5.5
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Below Zero is closest to Cream Puff .
FAQ
Below Zero FAQs
What color is Below Zero?
Below Zero is a light cyan with the hex code #87CDED. In HSL terms it has a hue of 199°, 74% saturation, and 73% lightness.
What is the hex code for Below Zero?
The hex code for Below Zero is #87CDED. In RGB it's rgb(135, 205, 237), and in CMYK it's cmyk(43%, 14%, 0%, 7%).
What colors go well with Below Zero?
Below Zero pairs naturally with orange tones from its complementary harmony, and with pink accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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