Shadow Blue

HEX: #778BA5 | Modern Palette

On White
3.49:1
FAIL
On Black
6.02:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#778BA5
RGB
119, 139, 165
HSL
213°, 27% ,64%
CMYK
27.88, 15.76, 0, 35.29

About Shadow Blue

Shadow Blue (#778BA5) is a color with RGB(119, 139, 165) and HSL(213.91°, 27.88%, 64.71%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Border, Print. Its complementary color is #A59177, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #A5778B and #8BA577. The name comes from Shadow Blue (English).

  • HEX: #778BA5
  • RGB: 119, 139, 165
  • HSL: 213.91°, 27.88%, 64.71%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Muted, Cool
  • Use case: Text, Border, Print
  • Complementary color: #A59177
  • Triadic colors: #A5778B, #8BA577
  • The name comes from Shadow Blue (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Shadow Blue #778BA5 is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

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

Color Harmonies

Shadow Blue #778BA5 pairs with #A59177 as its complementary color, and #A5778B and #8BA577 in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

SHADOW BLUE
Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

SHADOW BLUE
Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

SHADOW BLUE
Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

SHADOW BLUE
Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

SHADOW BLUE
Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

SHADOW BLUE

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Shadow Blue #778BA5 moves from dark #0A0C0F tones through the base color to lighter #F0F2F5 tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

SHADOW BLUE

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Muted Cool
Use case
Text Border Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #8686A5
Protanopia #8989A5
Tritanopia #728F8F
Achromatopsia #898989

Frequently Asked Questions

Shadow Blue (#778BA5) is a color with RGB(119, 139, 165) and HSL(213.91°, 27.88%, 64.71%).

#778BA5 pairs strongly with #A59177 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#778BA5 is suitable for Text, Border, Print and works well with Muted, Cool styles.

#778BA5 is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Shadow Blue is linked to Shadow Blue from English, meaning A shade of blue that evokes the color of shadows, often with a grayish or muted undertone..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Shadow Blue
Meaning A shade of blue that evokes the color of shadows, often with a grayish or muted undertone.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 20th Century

History

The concept of 'shadow' as a descriptor for color often implies a darker, less saturated, or more muted version of the base color. 'Shadow Blue' fits this pattern, distinguishing it from brighter or more vibrant blues. Its popularity has grown in interior design, fashion, and automotive industries where sophisticated, understated colors are often preferred. The hex code #778ba5 specifically points to a medium-light, desaturated blue with a significant gray component, perfectly aligning with the 'shadow' descriptor.

First Recorded Use

While the individual words 'shadow' and 'blue' have ancient origins, the specific compound color name 'Shadow Blue' likely emerged as a descriptive term in the late 20th century, particularly with the rise of standardized color systems in design, fashion, and paint industries. It's difficult to pinpoint an exact first use without extensive historical textile or paint catalog research, but its descriptive nature suggests a more modern coinage.

Cultural Associations

In Western cultures, blue is often associated with tranquility, stability, and sophistication. 'Shadow Blue,' with its muted tone, can evoke feelings of calm, elegance, and a certain understated luxury. It's a versatile color that can be seen as both modern and classic, depending on its application and accompanying colors. It avoids the starkness of very dark blues and the vibrancy of brighter blues, making it a popular choice for creating serene or professional environments.

Similar Named Colors
Light Slate Gray #778899 ΔE 3.61
Slate Gray #708090 ΔE 5.53
Roman Silver #838996 ΔE 5.95
Cool Grey #8C92AC ΔE 6.72

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #778BA5;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #778BA5;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #778BA5;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #778BA5,
        #BEA88C
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #778BA5,
        #BEA88C
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$shadow-blue: #778BA5;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$shadow-blue-r: 119;
$shadow-blue-g: 139;
$shadow-blue-b: 165;

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