Ultramarine

General Information about Ultramarine

The color #170D8A, also known as Ultramarine, is a deep, saturated blue hue. It belongs to the blue color family and is often associated with depth, stability, and confidence. In the RGB color model, it is composed of 9.02% red, 5.1% green, and 54.12% blue. In the CMYK color model, it consists of 83.33% cyan, 90.57% magenta, 0% yellow, and 45.88% black. Ultramarine has a wavelength of approximately 464 nm and an angle of 248 degrees in the HSL color space. This hex color is often used to convey feelings of trust and security. Historically, ultramarine was derived from the precious gemstone lapis lazuli, making it a highly valued pigment.

The color #170D8A, a deep ultramarine, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially when used as text against a white background. Its low luminance value (around 3%) results in very poor contrast, failing WCAG's AA and AAA standards for text sizes below 18pt (or 14pt bold). To improve accessibility, consider using a much lighter color for text or interactive elements on an ultramarine background. For example, shades of white or light yellow would provide better contrast. If #170D8A is crucial for branding, ensure it's only used for decorative elements or large graphical elements, where text is not essential. Always test color combinations with accessibility tools to guarantee sufficient contrast for users with visual impairments.

Shades

Digital Color Formats

Alternative colors

Applications

• Web Design and Branding

  Ultramarine, with its depth and richness, can be used to create a sense of luxury and sophistication. In web design, it works well for header backgrounds or call-to-action buttons. Its bold nature makes it suitable for creating a strong visual impact. In interior design, it can be used as an accent color in furniture or wall art, creating a focal point. Because of the strong vibrant impression it's a good choice for branding, for example in the finance sector. However, care should be taken to balance it with lighter colors to avoid overwhelming the overall design. For fashion it can be implemented as plain color for dresses or suites, paired with a light color.

• Meditation and Wellness

  Ultramarine evokes feelings of calmness and serenity. In meditation apps or websites focused on mental wellness, ultramarine can be used as a background color to create a soothing and peaceful environment. In art therapy, the color may be used to express emotions and encourage introspection. It is often seen as a meditative color, that invites the user to calm down and reflect on its feelings. The positive associations with calmness are widely used in different areas, from meditation to simple relaxing games.

• Ocean and Sky Themes

  Ultramarine, with its connection to the ocean and sky, is perfect for designs related to these elements. For example, it can be used in websites for travel agencies specializing in ocean cruises or for environmental organizations focused on ocean conservation. Similarly, it can be used in sky-themed art projects or astronomy education materials. Ultramarine’s association with the expansive sky makes it ideal for representing innovation and exploration, especially in science and technology related fields. The color inspires to learn new things and research new unknown fields.

Complementary color

Buttons