Blue
Also known as: Royal Blue Tang, Graphical 80’s Sky, Primary Blue, Blue Pencil
A vivid blue with a calm and trustworthy character, Blue works beautifully for 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.
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)
Color intelligence
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
cool
Nearest standard colors
- 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 — 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
Tints, shades, and tones of Blue
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
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
Contrast & accessibility
Aa — on white
contrast 8.59:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 2.44:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Best text color on a Blue background: #ffffff
Palettes featuring Blue
Blue with its complement
Soft neighbors of Blue
Blue triad
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.
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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