Gulf Blue
General Information About Gulf Blue
The color #040F53, also known as Gulf Blue, is a very dark shade of blue. It belongs to the blue color family and has very low saturation and brightness. It is often associated with feelings of calmness, stability, and sophistication. In color psychology, dark blues are often used to convey trust and security, making them popular in corporate branding and website design. The hexadecimal color code #040F53 is composed of 1.57% red, 5.88% green, and 32.55% blue. In the RGB color model, it is represented as rgb(4, 15, 83). This color is not commonly found in nature, but it can be reminiscent of a deep, dark ocean or a twilight sky. Its unique combination of darkness and blueness makes it a versatile color that can be used in a variety of applications.
The hex color #040F53, also known as Gulf Blue, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly regarding contrast. Its very low luminance value of 0.007 makes it difficult to achieve sufficient contrast against lighter backgrounds, posing readability issues for users with visual impairments. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. To ensure accessibility, using #040F53 for text requires extremely light foreground colors like white (#FFFFFF) to meet these contrast requirements. Even then, careful testing with accessibility tools is crucial to confirm compliance and provide an optimal user experience. When used as a background, pairing it with bright, high-contrast elements is essential. Avoid using this color for critical interactive elements without thorough testing.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design Background
In web design, #040F53 can be used for creating a sophisticated and calming background for headers or footers. Its deep tone exudes trust and stability, making it suitable for financial or corporate websites. It should be paired with high-contrast text and interactive elements to ensure readability and usability. This color also makes a good background for charts or data visualizations where contrast is important.
Fashion Accent Color
In fashion, #040F53 can be used as an accent color in clothing or accessories to add a touch of elegance and mystery. It pairs well with lighter colors like beige or gray for a balanced and sophisticated look. You can see this color used in formal dresses or evening wear.
Interior Design Accent Wall
Within the realm of interior design, #040F53 can be used to create a sophisticated accent wall in a living room or bedroom. Its dark tone can evoke a sense of tranquility and luxury. To prevent the room from feeling too dark, it's essential to balance it with lighter furniture and decor. It is very popular in minimalist design.