French Blue
HEX: #0072BB | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#0072BB
0, 114, 187
203°, 100% ,73%
100, 39.04, 0, 26.67
About French Blue
French Blue (#0072BB) is a color with RGB(0, 114, 187) and HSL(203.42°, 100%, 73.33%). It is commonly associated with Bold, Playful moods. In design, it fits Neon, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #BB4900, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #BB0072 and #72BB00. The name comes from French Blue (English).
- HEX: #0072BB
- RGB: 0, 114, 187
- HSL: 203.42°, 100%, 73.33%
- Mood: Bold, Playful
- Style: Neon, Cool
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #BB4900
- Triadic colors: #BB0072, #72BB00
- The name comes from French 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 #0072BB from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The color blue has a long and significant history in France. From the Capetian kings, who adopted a blue banner with golden fleurs-de-lis, blue became a royal color. During the French Revolution, blue, along with white and red, became one of the colors of the national flag (the Tricolour). The specific shade known as 'French Blue' often refers to the darker, more saturated blue found in the French flag and military uniforms. It gained particular recognition in the textile industry and in art as a distinct color. Its use in uniforms, particularly by the French army, further cemented its identity. Over time, various shades have been marketed as 'French Blue,' but the core idea remains a rich, often slightly purplish or greenish-blue, distinct from navy or royal blue.
First Recorded Use
The exact first documented use of the term 'French Blue' to describe this specific color is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but the association of a particular shade of blue with France, especially in military contexts, became prominent from the late 17th century onwards. The term likely solidified in common usage during the 18th century.
Cultural Associations
French Blue is deeply embedded in French national identity. It is one of the three colors of the French flag, symbolizing liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is also strongly associated with French military history, particularly the uniforms of the French army. Beyond national symbols, it is a popular color in fashion, interior design, and art, often evoking a sense of classic elegance, sophistication, and tradition. It can also be seen as a symbol of French heritage and craftsmanship.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #0072BB;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #0072BB;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #0072BB;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#0072BB,
#FFAC77
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#0072BB,
#FFAC77
);
}// SCSS variable
$french-blue: #0072BB;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$french-blue-r: 0;
$french-blue-g: 114;
$french-blue-b: 187;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $french-blue;
color: rgba($french-blue-r, $french-blue-g, $french-blue-b, 0.8);
}