Blue
Also known as: Royal Blue Tang , Graphical 80’s Sky , Primary Blue , Blue Pencil
Few blues feel this vivid. Blue leans cool and calm and trustworthy, which points it toward finance apps and trust-driven interfaces. Match it with brown accents when the design calls for energy over calm. On white it reads clearly at 8.59:1 contrast, safe for body text under WCAG AA.
Reference
Blue color codes
- HEX
- #0000FF
- RGB
- rgb(0, 0, 255)
- RGBA
- rgba(0, 0, 255, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(240, 100%, 50%)
- HSV
- hsv(240, 100%, 100%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%)
- LAB
- lab(29.6 68.3 -112.0)
- OKLCH
- oklch(45.2% 0.313 264.1)
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. Vivid colors like this typically lose some intensity in CMYK print. Request a physical proof for brand-critical work.
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: blue #0000FF · ΔE 0.0
- RAL 5002: Ultramarine blue #2B2C7C · ΔE 16.6 · 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 Blue works
- Web & UI: Use it directly for text on light surfaces; it clears AA contrast without adjustment.
- 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: Reads as an interactive accent: fills, hovers, focus rings. Keep body text in a darker neutral.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette: packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Blue
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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 Blue 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 8.59:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Aa on black
contrast 2.44:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Best text color on a Blue background: #ffffff
Palettes
Palettes featuring Blue
Blue with its complement
Soft neighbors of Blue
Blue triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Bluebonnet #1C1CF0 · ΔE 2.0
- Pure Blue #0203E2 · ΔE 3.6
- Vivid Blue #152EFF · ΔE 4.6
- Busty Blue #3300CC · ΔE 5.8
- True Blue #010FCC · ΔE 6.1
- Blurple #5539CC · ΔE 8.2
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Blue is closest to Olivary .
FAQ
Blue FAQs
What color is Blue?
Blue is a medium blue with the hex code #0000FF. In HSL terms it has a hue of 240°, 100% saturation, and 50% lightness.
What is the hex code for Blue?
The hex code for Blue is #0000FF. In RGB it's rgb(0, 0, 255), and in CMYK it's cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%).
What colors go well with Blue?
Blue pairs naturally with brown tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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