Dark Blue
HEX: #00008B | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#00008B
0, 0, 139
240°, 100% ,54%
100, 100, 0, 45.49
About Dark Blue
Dark Blue (#00008B) is a color with RGB(0, 0, 139) and HSL(240°, 100%, 54.51%). It is commonly associated with Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #8B8B00, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes Dark Red (#8B0000) and #008B00. The name comes from Dark Blue (English).
- HEX: #00008B
- RGB: 0, 0, 139
- HSL: 240°, 100%, 54.51%
- Mood: Bold
- Style: Vivid, Cool
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #8B8B00
- Triadic colors: Dark Red (#8B0000), #008B00
- The name comes from Dark Blue (English).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #00008B from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'blue' itself has a complex etymology, possibly stemming from Proto-Germanic *blēwaz or Proto-Indo-European *bʰle-wos ('light-colored, blue, yellow, blond'). Historically, blue dyes were difficult and expensive to produce, making blue a color often associated with royalty, divinity, and wealth (e.g., lapis lazuli, indigo). 'Dark blue' specifically refers to the deeper end of this spectrum, often achieved with higher concentrations of dye or specific pigments. Throughout history, dark blue has been used in art, textiles, and heraldry to convey seriousness, stability, and depth. In modern times, it's a common color for uniforms, business attire, and corporate branding.
First Recorded Use
The concept of 'blue' as a distinct color term emerged in Old English (blæw), evolving into Middle English (bleu, blew). The modifier 'dark' to specify a deeper shade would have become common as color vocabulary became more nuanced, likely by the 14th-15th centuries.
Cultural Associations
Dark blue is widely perceived as a color of stability, trust, intelligence, and authority. It is often associated with professionalism and conservatism. In many Western cultures, it is a popular choice for corporate logos and uniforms due to its calming yet authoritative presence. It can also evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy ('feeling blue'). In some spiritual contexts, dark blue is linked to wisdom and inner peace. Its association with the night sky and deep ocean gives it connotations of mystery and the unknown.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #00008B;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #00008B;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #00008B;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#00008B,
#FFFF17
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#00008B,
#FFFF17
);
}// SCSS variable
$dark-blue: #00008B;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$dark-blue-r: 0;
$dark-blue-g: 0;
$dark-blue-b: 139;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $dark-blue;
color: rgba($dark-blue-r, $dark-blue-g, $dark-blue-b, 0.8);
}