Gulf Blue
General Information about Gulf Blue
The hexadecimal color #120a53, also known as Gulf Blue, is a dark shade of blue, exuding a sense of depth and mystery. It is composed of 7.1% red, 3.92% green, and 32.55% blue. In the RGB color space, it is represented as rgb(18, 10, 83). Its CMYK representation is cmyk(78.3, 87.9, 0, 67.5), indicating high cyan and magenta content. The color's hue is 247.4 degrees, its saturation is 79.7, and its lightness is 18.2. Gulf Blue is often associated with elegance and sophistication. Due to its dark nature, it's generally not recommended for use as a primary text color on light backgrounds without careful consideration of contrast ratios to ensure accessibility. It is a beautiful color to be used for backgrounds, providing a professional and sophisticated look. The color is great when used as a subtle gradient with lighter colors.
The hex color #120a53, also known as Gulf Blue, presents significant accessibility challenges due to its low lightness value of 0.02. This dark shade of blue results in very poor contrast against standard light backgrounds, making it difficult for users with visual impairments to discern text or graphical elements. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Gulf Blue fails to meet these criteria when paired with common background colors like white or light gray. Web developers should avoid using this color for text or interactive elements without careful consideration of contrast. Appropriate measures, such as using a very light or bright color for the foreground, must be taken to ensure readability and usability for all users. Insufficient contrast can lead to a frustrating user experience and exclusion of users with disabilities. Tools like contrast checkers can help determine suitable color combinations. Using a lighter shade or a different color altogether may be necessary to meet accessibility standards.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Backgrounds and Accents
In web design, Gulf Blue can be employed as a background color for website headers or footers to establish a sense of depth and sophistication. Given its dark nature, it's crucial to pair it with light-colored text (e.g., white or a very pale yellow) to ensure readability and maintain accessibility standards. It can be effectively used for creating a dark mode theme for websites, appealing to users who prefer reduced eye strain in low-light environments. Moreover, this hue is suitable for subtle accents and hover effects on interactive elements like buttons or links, adding a touch of elegance without overwhelming the overall design. When used thoughtfully, #120a53 contributes a refined and professional aesthetic to web interfaces.
Evening Wear and Formal Attire
In fashion, Gulf Blue exudes sophistication and mystery, and is best used in evening wear or formal attire. It is often seen in velvet dresses, silk scarves, or even tailored suits, where its deep hue adds a touch of elegance. Given the dark nature of the color, it can also be paired with metallic accessories or jewelry to create a striking contrast. This color is often suitable for luxurious and high-end fashion brands, or as a unique accent color for casual outfits. This color embodies modern sophistication.
Interior Design
In interior design, Gulf Blue can provide a unique mood to a room or location. This color is perfect for creating an atmosphere of calm, and can often be used to encourage relaxation. This color is perfect for dark rooms, where it creates a sense of privacy, but can also be used in a brighter room with large windows that receives sunlight.