Oxford Blue

HEX: #002147 | Modern Palette

On White
16.05:1
PASS
On Black
1.31:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#002147
RGB
0, 33, 71
HSL
212°, 100% ,27%
CMYK
100, 53.52, 0, 72.16

About Oxford Blue

Oxford Blue (#002147) is a color with RGB(0, 33, 71) and HSL(212.11°, 100%, 27.84%). It is commonly associated with Bold, Luxury moods. In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #472600, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #470021 and #214700. The name comes from Oxford Blue (English).

  • HEX: #002147
  • RGB: 0, 33, 71
  • HSL: 212.11°, 100%, 27.84%
  • Mood: Bold, Luxury
  • Style: Cool
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #472600
  • Triadic colors: #470021, #214700
  • The name comes from Oxford Blue (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

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 #002147 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Bold Luxury
Style
Cool
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #1B1B47
Protanopia #1F1F47
Tritanopia #002828
Achromatopsia #212121

Frequently Asked Questions

Oxford Blue (#002147) is a color with RGB(0, 33, 71) and HSL(212.11°, 100%, 27.84%).

#002147 pairs strongly with #472600 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#002147 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Cool styles.

#002147 is commonly associated with Bold, Luxury.

The name Oxford Blue is linked to Oxford Blue from English, meaning A specific shade of dark blue associated with the University of Oxford..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Oxford Blue
Meaning A specific shade of dark blue associated with the University of Oxford.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th Century

History

The use of blue as a color for Oxford University dates back centuries, but the specific shade now known as 'Oxford Blue' (often represented by #002147) solidified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is famously used in the Oxford University Boat Club's uniform for the annual Boat Race against Cambridge University (who use 'Cambridge Blue'). The color is a very dark, rich blue, often appearing almost black in certain light conditions. Its adoption was part of a broader trend among universities and institutions to establish distinct colors for identity and branding.

First Recorded Use

The exact first documented use of 'Oxford Blue' to refer to this specific color is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but the color itself became firmly established as the university's official color by the late 19th century, particularly in sporting contexts like the Boat Race.

Cultural Associations

Oxford Blue is deeply embedded in the identity of the University of Oxford. It is seen on academic regalia, sports kits, university merchandise, and official branding. It symbolizes tradition, academic excellence, and the long-standing rivalry with Cambridge University. Beyond the university, the term 'Oxford Blue' can sometimes be used more generally to describe a very dark, almost navy blue, though its primary association remains with the university.

Similar Named Colors
Space Cadet #1D2951 ΔE 4.45
Yankees Blue #1C2841 ΔE 5.21
Cool Black #002E63 ΔE 5.23
Royal Blue #002366 ΔE 5.72

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #002147;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #002147;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #002147;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #002147,
        #8E4C00
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #002147,
        #8E4C00
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$oxford-blue: #002147;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$oxford-blue-r: 0;
$oxford-blue-g: 33;
$oxford-blue-b: 71;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $oxford-blue;
    color: rgba($oxford-blue-r, $oxford-blue-g, $oxford-blue-b, 0.8);
}