Wave
Also known as: Plume, Cay, Aqua Frost, Children’s Soft Blue
Wave is a soft, gentle cyan that reads as cool and clear. It shines in modern branding and tech interfaces. Set it against a red accent when you want the combination to pop. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (12.39:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Wave color codes
- HEX
- #A5CED5
- RGB
- rgb(165, 206, 213)
- RGBA
- rgba(165, 206, 213, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(189, 36%, 74%)
- HSV
- hsv(189, 23%, 84%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(23%, 3%, 0%, 16%)
- LAB
- lab(80.0 -12.8 -8.2)
- OKLCH
- oklch(82.4% 0.044 209.1)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
cool
subtle cyan undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: lightblue#ADD8E6 · ΔE 3.8
- RAL 6027 — Light green#81C0BB · ΔE 9.0 · 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 Wave works
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively — dividers, chart series, illustration accents — and let neutrals carry the type.
- 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.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette — packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as — every ecosystem
Tints, shades, and tones of Wave
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Wave 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 1.70:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Aa — on black
contrast 12.39:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Best text color on a Wave background: #000000
Palettes featuring Wave
Wave with its complement
Soft neighbors of Wave
Wave triad
Similar colors
- Clear Water#AAD5DB · ΔE 1.8
- Crystal#A7D8DE · ΔE 2.9
- Aquatic#99C1CC · ΔE 3.7
- Light Blue#ADD8E6 · ΔE 3.8
- Quick-Freeze#BDDBE1 · ΔE 4.6
- Opal#AEE0E4 · ΔE 4.7
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Wave is closest to Muddy Rose.
Wave FAQs
What color is Wave?
Wave is a light cyan with the hex code #A5CED5. In HSL terms it has a hue of 189°, 36% saturation, and 74% lightness.
What is the hex code for Wave?
The hex code for Wave is #A5CED5. In RGB it's rgb(165, 206, 213), and in CMYK it's cmyk(23%, 3%, 0%, 16%).
What colors go well with Wave?
Wave pairs naturally with red tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
Got a photo with a color like this? Identify it with the analyzer — free, instant, private.