International Klein Blue

#0127C9

About International Klein Blue

International Klein Blue, often abbreviated as IKB, is a deep blue hue first mixed by the French artist Yves Klein. Klein sought to create a blue that best expressed his concepts related to the infinite and immateriality. The color's richness stems from its high concentration of ultramarine pigment suspended in a synthetic resin, which preserves the pigment's intensity. This specific formulation gives IKB its characteristic vividness that is not commonly found in other blue shades. Because of its unique history and appearance, the color is registered as a trademark in Yves Klein's name. The color became an integral part of his artistic identity, featuring prominently in his paintings, sculptures, and performances. Its impact extends beyond the art world, influencing design, fashion, and visual culture more broadly, symbolizing creativity, innovation, and a sense of the infinite. Its impact can also be found in home design as an exciting accent color.

The hex color #0127C9, also known as International Klein Blue, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly regarding contrast. When used as a background color, it's crucial to select text colors that offer sufficient contrast to ensure readability. White (#FFFFFF) or light yellow (#FFFF00) text would generally provide better contrast than darker shades. Tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can be invaluable in determining if a color combination meets WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Considering users with visual impairments is paramount; therefore, avoid using #0127C9 for elements that require fine detail or critical information without adequate contrast. Furthermore, avoid using this color as the sole indicator of interactive elements such as links or buttons, as color blindness can hinder user interaction. Always provide alternative visual cues like underlines or icons to ensure usability for everyone. To be absolutely sure to reach WCAG AAA, the use of a light text color (white, yellow) is highly recommended. Furthermore, it is not recommended to use the color for decorative elements.

Shades

Digital Color Formats

RGB
1 39 201
RGB1 39 201
Red
Green
Blue
HSL
228.6deg 99.01% 39.61%
228.699.0139.61HSL
Hue
Saturation
Lightness
HWB
228.6deg 0.39% 21.18%
228.60.3921.18HWB
Hue
Whiteness
Blackness
hex#0127C9
rgb1 39 201
hsl228.6deg 99.01% 39.61%
cmyk99.5% 80.6% 0% 21.18%
hwb228.6deg 0.39% 21.18%
xyz-d650.11 0.06 0.56
oklch0.4067 0.2424 264.22
oklab0.4067 -0.02 -0.24
CMYK
99.5% 80.6% 0% 21.18%
99.580.6021.18CMYK
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Key
XYZ-d65
0.11 0.06 0.56
0.110.060.56XYZ
X
Y
Z
OKLCH
0.4067 0.2424 264.22
0.40670.2424264.22LCH
Lightness
Chroma
Hue
OKLAB
0.4067 -0.02 -0.24
0.4067-0.02-0.24LAB
Lightness
Green-Red
Blue-Yellow

Alternative colors

Applications

Complementary color

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