Air Superiority Blue

HEX: #72A0C1 | Modern Palette

On White
2.79:1
FAIL
On Black
7.51:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#72A0C1
RGB
114, 160, 193
HSL
205°, 40% ,75%
CMYK
40.93, 17.1, 0, 24.31

About Air Superiority Blue

Air Superiority Blue (#72A0C1) is a color with RGB(114, 160, 193) and HSL(205.06°, 40.93%, 75.69%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Print. Its complementary color is #C19372, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #C172A0 and #A0C172. The name comes from Air Superiority Blue (English).

  • HEX: #72A0C1
  • RGB: 114, 160, 193
  • HSL: 205.06°, 40.93%, 75.69%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Cool
  • Use case: Text, Print
  • Complementary color: #C19372
  • Triadic colors: #C172A0, #A0C172
  • The name comes from Air Superiority 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 #72A0C1 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Cool
Use case
Text Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9494C2
Protanopia #9C9CC1
Tritanopia #6AA5A5
Achromatopsia #9B9B9B

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Superiority Blue (#72A0C1) is a color with RGB(114, 160, 193) and HSL(205.06°, 40.93%, 75.69%).

#72A0C1 pairs strongly with #C19372 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#72A0C1 is suitable for Text, Print and works well with Cool styles.

#72A0C1 is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Air Superiority Blue is linked to Air Superiority Blue from English, meaning A specific shade of blue intended for camouflage on aircraft operating in the sky, particularly for achieving air superiority..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Air Superiority Blue
Meaning A specific shade of blue intended for camouflage on aircraft operating in the sky, particularly for achieving air superiority.
Language English
First Recorded Use Mid-20th Century

History

The concept of 'Air Superiority Blue' emerged as air forces sought optimal camouflage for their fighter aircraft. Early camouflage schemes often involved greens and browns for ground concealment, but as air-to-air combat became more prevalent, the need for effective sky camouflage became critical. This particular shade of blue, often a medium-light, desaturated blue, was developed to blend with the typical appearance of the sky when viewed from below or at similar altitudes. It was widely adopted by various air forces, including the United States Air Force (USAF) for aircraft like the F-4 Phantom II and F-15 Eagle during certain periods, before the advent of more advanced low-visibility grey schemes. The exact shade could vary slightly between different air forces and even different production batches.

First Recorded Use

Circa 1950s-1960s (specific date varies by air force and application)

Cultural Associations

While not as widely recognized by the general public as some other military colors, 'Air Superiority Blue' holds significant cultural weight within aviation and military enthusiast communities. It is often associated with the Cold War era of air combat and the iconic aircraft that flew in these schemes. Modelers and restorers of vintage aircraft frequently strive to accurately reproduce this specific color. It represents a period of intense focus on aerial combat and the scientific approach to camouflage.

Similar Named Colors
Cerulean Frost #6D9BC3 ΔE 2.57
Iceberg #71A6D2 ΔE 3.16
Dark Pastel Blue #779ECB ΔE 4.34
Carolina Blue #56A0D3 ΔE 4.48

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #72A0C1;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #72A0C1;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #72A0C1;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #72A0C1,
        #DABDA8
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #72A0C1,
        #DABDA8
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$air-superiority-blue: #72A0C1;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$air-superiority-blue-r: 114;
$air-superiority-blue-g: 160;
$air-superiority-blue-b: 193;

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