Below Zero
Also known as: Pool Tiles, Airy Blue, Afternoon Sky, Anakiwa
Below Zero is what happens when cyan turns soft and lively. The effect is clean and modern, made for modern branding and tech interfaces. 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.
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)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
cool
Nearest standard colors
- 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 — 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 — dividers, chart series, 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
Tints, shades, and tones of Below Zero
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
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
Contrast & accessibility
Aa — on white
contrast 1.75:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Aa — on black
contrast 11.99:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Best text color on a Below Zero background: #000000
Palettes featuring Below Zero
Below Zero with its complement
Soft neighbors of Below Zero
Below Zero triad
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.
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 red accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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