Cool
Also known as: Calcite Blue , Smooth-Hound Shark , Gulf Winds , Baroque Blue
There is a clean and modern quality to Cool. The gentle, cool cyan at #96B3B3 rewards water themes and healthcare apps. A pink counterpart from the complementary harmony gives it the most tension. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (9.40:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Reference
Cool color codes
- HEX
- #96B3B3
- RGB
- rgb(150, 179, 179)
- RGBA
- rgba(150, 179, 179, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(180, 16%, 65%)
- HSV
- hsv(180, 16%, 70%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(16%, 0%, 0%, 30%)
- LAB
- lab(70.8 -10.3 -3.5)
- OKLCH
- oklch(74.5% 0.032 196.5)
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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neutral, leaning cool
subtle cyan undertone in this near-neutral
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: cadetblue #5F9EA0 · ΔE 10.8
- RAL 6034: Pastel turquoise #7FB0B2 · ΔE 5.1 · 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 Cool works
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Interiors: Muted enough to paint all four walls; sample it in both daylight and evening light before committing.
- Fashion: Works as a base layer or outerwear tone that lets brighter pieces do the talking.
- Branding: The safest brand-primary family there is; differentiate with an unexpected accent.
- 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.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Cool
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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 Cool 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 2.24:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 9.40:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Cool background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Cool
Cool with its complement
Soft neighbors of Cool
Cool triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Ether #98B2B4 · ΔE 1.5
- Stormy Bay #9AAFAF · ΔE 2.6
- Summit #8BB6B8 · ΔE 3.5
- Wild Life #A5C1C0 · ΔE 3.9
- Treetop #91B6AC · ΔE 5.2
- Equanimity #83A9B3 · ΔE 5.5
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Cool is closest to Parfait .
FAQ
Cool FAQs
What color is Cool?
Cool is a medium cyan with the hex code #96B3B3. In HSL terms it has a hue of 180°, 16% saturation, and 65% lightness.
What is the hex code for Cool?
The hex code for Cool is #96B3B3. In RGB it's rgb(150, 179, 179), and in CMYK it's cmyk(16%, 0%, 0%, 30%).
What colors go well with Cool?
Cool pairs naturally with pink tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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