Dark Blue
General Information about #000CB4
The hexadecimal color code #000CB4 represents a dark shade of blue. It is composed of 0% red, 4.7% green, and 70.6% blue. In the RGB color model, this translates to 0 red, 12 green, and 180 blue. This color is often perceived as calming, trustworthy, and professional, due to its association with the vastness of the ocean and sky. In color theory, #000CB4 belongs to the blue color family, which is known for its tranquil and serene qualities. Blue colors are commonly used to convey stability and confidence, making them popular choices for corporate branding and institutional designs. Because of its low brightness, it can also evoke feelings of depth, mystery, or even sadness, depending on the context.
The hex color #000cb4, a dark blue, presents several accessibility considerations for web development. Its low lightness value means it inherently has low contrast against common light backgrounds like white (#ffffff). This can make text and other elements difficult to read for users, especially those with visual impairments. According to WCAG guidelines, sufficient contrast ratios are essential for readability. For normal text (size smaller than 18pt), a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is required, while for large text (size 18pt and larger), a ratio of 3:1 is needed. Given its darkness, #000cb4 is best used with very light colors to meet these guidelines. When using this color for text, ensure a light background color is chosen and tested with accessibility tools to verify adequate contrast. Alternatively, #000cb4 can be effectively used as a background color itself, paired with sufficiently bright text, to achieve accessibility compliance.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter shade of blue can offer better contrast against white backgrounds while retaining a similar aesthetic feel.
A brighter, more vibrant blue can draw more attention and increase visibility, particularly for interactive elements.
This color, a lighter hue of blue, can offer a subtle and calm feel while still providing improved legibility on light backgrounds compared to the original color.
Applications
Web Design
In web design, #000cb4 can serve as a sophisticated background for headers or navigation bars, particularly for websites related to technology, finance, or corporate sectors. Paired with white or light gray text, it can create a professional and trustworthy aesthetic. Additionally, it can be utilized for button backgrounds or highlight colors to draw attention to key interactive elements on a webpage. Because of its richness, it's best used sparingly to prevent overwhelming the user interface and should be balanced with lighter, complementary colors to ensure readability and overall visual harmony.
Interior Design
Within the realm of interior design, this shade of dark blue can be used to create a cozy, regal atmosphere. Think of an accent wall in a living room or bedroom. Combine it with gold or brass accents to enrich the feeling of luxury. Using it as the base color of decorative pillows on a light-colored sofa also represents a good use case. However, using too much dark blue can make the area feel small and gloomy, so it should be counter-balanced with brighter, contrasting shades and sufficient lighting.
Beauty
In the beauty industry, this dark blue can be incorporated into eye shadow palettes for creating smoky or dramatic looks. As an eye liner, it offers a more subtle alternative to black, while still adding depth and definition to the eyes. The shade can also be featured in nail polish collections, often associated with sophisticated and mysterious vibes, suitable for evening wear or special occasions. As with other applications, care should be taken to suit the skin tone of the user and balance with complementary colors.