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
French Blue #0072BB is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.
Color Harmonies
French Blue #0072BB pairs with #BB4900 as its complementary color, and #BB0072 and #72BB00 in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.
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);
}