Pastel Blue

HEX: #AEC6CF | Modern Palette

On White
1.78:1
FAIL
On Black
11.78:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#AEC6CF
RGB
174, 198, 207
HSL
196°, 25% ,74%
CMYK
16, 4, 0, 19

About Pastel Blue

Pastel Blue (#AEC6CF) is a color with RGB(174, 198, 207) and HSL(196.4°, 25.6%, 74.7%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Pastel, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Border, Print. Its complementary color is #CFB7AE, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #CFAEC6 and #C6CFAE. The name comes from Pastel Blue (English).

  • HEX: #AEC6CF
  • RGB: 174, 198, 207
  • HSL: 196.4°, 25.6%, 74.7%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Pastel, Cool
  • Use case: Text, Border, Print
  • Complementary color: #CFB7AE
  • Triadic colors: #CFAEC6, #C6CFAE
  • The name comes from Pastel Blue (English).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Pastel Blue #AEC6CF 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.
 
 
 
PASTEL BLUE
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
PASTEL BLUE
 
 
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

Pastel Blue #AEC6CF pairs with #CFB7AE as its complementary color, and #CFAEC6 and #C6CFAE 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.

PASTEL BLUE
Analogous

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

PASTEL BLUE
Triadic

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

PASTEL BLUE
Split-Complementary

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

PASTEL BLUE
Tetradic (Square)

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

PASTEL BLUE
Monochromatic

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

PASTEL BLUE

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Pastel Blue #AEC6CF moves from dark #090E10 tones through the base color to lighter #EFF4F6 tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

PASTEL BLUE

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Pastel Cool
Use case
Text Border Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #BFBFCF
Protanopia #C4C4CF
Tritanopia #ADC7C7
Achromatopsia #C2C2C2

Frequently Asked Questions

Pastel Blue (#AEC6CF) is a color with RGB(174, 198, 207) and HSL(196.4°, 25.6%, 74.7%).

#AEC6CF pairs strongly with #CFB7AE as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#AEC6CF is suitable for Text, Border, Print and works well with Pastel, Cool styles.

#AEC6CF is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Pastel Blue is linked to Pastel Blue from English, meaning A light, soft shade of blue, reminiscent of pastels..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Pastel Blue
Meaning A light, soft shade of blue, reminiscent of pastels.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th to Early 20th Century

History

The concept of 'pastel' colors emerged from the art medium of pastels, which by their nature produce soft, muted tones due to the pigment being mixed with a binder and often chalk. As these art forms gained popularity, the descriptive term 'pastel' extended to a broader range of colors in other mediums that shared this characteristic softness and low saturation. 'Pastel Blue' specifically refers to a light, desaturated blue, often associated with tranquility, innocence, and softness. Its use has been prominent in various eras, particularly in periods favoring softer aesthetics, such as the Rococo period (though the term 'pastel blue' itself is more modern), and again in the mid-20th century for interior design and fashion.

First Recorded Use

The term 'pastel' to describe a range of soft colors became more common with the rise of pastel art mediums and their associated color palettes. 'Pastel Blue' as a specific color name likely solidified in common usage during the late 19th or early 20th century as color naming became more standardized in fashion, interior design, and art supplies.

Cultural Associations

Often associated with baby items, particularly for boys, though its use is much broader. Evokes feelings of calmness, peace, and serenity. Popular in spring and summer fashion palettes. Frequently used in interior design for bedrooms and bathrooms to create a relaxing atmosphere. Can be linked to vintage aesthetics, especially from the mid-20th century. In some contexts, it can represent innocence or dreaminess.

Similar Named Colors
Columbia Blue #C4D8E2 ΔE 4.90
Pale Aqua #BCD4E6 ΔE 5.37
Light Blue #ADD8E6 ΔE 6.01
Dark Sky Blue #8CBED6 ΔE 7.36

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #AEC6CF;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #AEC6CF;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #AEC6CF;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #AEC6CF,
        #CFB7AE
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #AEC6CF,
        #CFB7AE
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$pastel-blue: #AEC6CF;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$pastel-blue-r: 174;
$pastel-blue-g: 198;
$pastel-blue-b: 207;

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