Zen
Also known as: Hinting Blue , White Blue , Polar Drift , Mild Blue
Expect calm and trustworthy associations from Zen, a pale blue suited to SaaS products and finance apps. Because it leans cool, balancing it with a orange keeps a palette from feeling one-note. For accessible text, use it on black or near-black backgrounds (14.63:1, passes WCAG AA) rather than white.
Reference
Zen color codes
- HEX
- #CFD9DE
- RGB
- rgb(207, 217, 222)
- RGBA
- rgba(207, 217, 222, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(200, 19%, 84%)
- HSV
- hsv(200, 7%, 87%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(7%, 2%, 0%, 13%)
- LAB
- lab(86.0 -2.8 -3.7)
- OKLCH
- oklch(87.9% 0.013 228.9)
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 blue 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: lightgray #D3D3D3 · ΔE 4.7
- RAL 7047: Telegrey 4 #CFD0CF · ΔE 4.8 · 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 Zen works
- Web & UI: A supporting-cast color for UI: chart fills, tags, and empty-state illustrations, but not text.
- Interiors: Soft and low-saturation: a candidate for full walls, where vivid colors overwhelm.
- Fashion: A wardrobe neutral: it anchors outfits and pairs with nearly any accent color.
- Branding: Sits in the trust register: a natural primary for finance, health, and B2B brands.
- Interiors: Strong for a whole room, excellent in doses: an accent wall, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
- Fashion: Wears best as the statement piece, a top, scarf, or shoes, against neutral basics.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Zen
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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 Zen 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 1.44:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 14.63:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Zen background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Zen
Zen with its complement
Soft neighbors of Zen
Zen triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Skyscraper #D3DBE2 · ΔE 1.7
- Cityscape #DAE3E7 · ΔE 2.4
- Goddess #D0E1E8 · ΔE 3.0
- Bright Star #DDE2E6 · ΔE 3.1
- Serene #DCE3E4 · ΔE 3.1
- Dreamstress #D6E5EA · ΔE 3.2
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Zen is closest to Mocha Ice .
FAQ
Zen FAQs
What color is Zen?
Zen is a light blue with the hex code #CFD9DE. In HSL terms it has a hue of 200°, 19% saturation, and 84% lightness.
What is the hex code for Zen?
The hex code for Zen is #CFD9DE. In RGB it's rgb(207, 217, 222), and in CMYK it's cmyk(7%, 2%, 0%, 13%).
What colors go well with Zen?
Zen pairs naturally with orange tones from its complementary harmony, and with pink accents from its split-complementary palette. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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