Congress Blue
General Information about Congress Blue
The color #0b418c, commonly known as Congress Blue, is a deep, saturated blue that evokes feelings of professionalism, authority, and trustworthiness. It belongs to the blue color family and is often associated with institutions, governments, and corporations seeking to project an image of stability and reliability. In the RGB color model, #0b418c is composed of 4.31% red, 25.49% green, and 54.9% blue. In the CMYK color model, used for printing, it consists of 92% cyan, 54% magenta, 0% yellow, and 45% black. This color is a popular choice in branding and web design for organizations looking to convey a sense of seriousness and competence. The color has a great visual depth.
The hex color #0b418c, also known as Congress Blue, presents several accessibility considerations for web developers. Its relatively low luminance can pose challenges for users with visual impairments, particularly when used as a text color. To ensure readability, it's crucial to maintain a high contrast ratio against the background. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text according to WCAG guidelines. Using a light background color, such as white or a very pale yellow, can significantly improve readability. When using #0b418c for interactive elements like buttons or links, providing clear visual cues, such as changes in color or the addition of underlines on hover, is essential. Also, avoid using this color alone to convey important information; instead, supplement it with text or icons.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #336699
A lighter shade of blue that maintains a professional appearance while offering improved contrast against dark backgrounds.
- #1e90ff
A more vibrant blue that can be used as an accent color to draw attention to key elements without sacrificing readability.
- #607b8b
A desaturated blue that provides a subtle and calming effect, suitable for backgrounds or secondary text.
Applications
Website Headers and Titles
Congress Blue is a solid choice for headers and titles, particularly in corporate or academic websites. Its serious tone conveys authority and reliability, making it suitable for institutions or organizations that want to project a sense of stability. Using it in combination with a light-colored body text ensures readability while maintaining a professional aesthetic. It's important to use a font size that is large enough for the text to be easily readable on different screen sizes.
Data Visualization
In data visualization, #0b418c can represent a primary data series or category. Its distinct hue makes it easily distinguishable from other colors on charts and graphs. Using it consistently across different visualizations maintains visual coherence and helps viewers quickly understand the data. Consider using lighter shades or tints of #0b418c to represent secondary data points or ranges, creating a clear visual hierarchy.
Call-to-Action Buttons
Congress Blue is a suitable color for call-to-action buttons, especially when used sparingly. Its strong hue can draw attention to important actions, such as submitting a form or making a purchase. To enhance visibility, use a contrasting text color, such as white or a light yellow. Ensure that the button has sufficient padding around the text to make it easily clickable on touch devices.