Cobalt Blue color code: #0047AB
An intense pigment blue that reads as pure blue with no grey in it.
Cobalt Blue · rgb(0, 71, 171)
Every format for Cobalt Blue
- HEX
- #0047AB
- RGB
- rgb(0, 71, 171)
- HSL
- hsl(215, 100%, 34%)
- HSV
- 215°, 100%, 67%
- CMYK
- 100%, 58%, 0%, 33%
- Lightness
- 34% · mid-tone
Hue sits at 215°, which makes Cobalt Blue a slightly cool blue navy, with 100% saturation. In the Royal Navy family it reads as a mid-tone option.
Text contrast on Cobalt Blue
Contrast ratios are calculated using the WCAG 2.1 relative luminance formula. Normal body text needs 4.5:1 and large text needs 3:1 to pass AA.
White text on Cobalt Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.44:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Cobalt Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
2.49:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyCobalt Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.44:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Cobalt Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 8.44:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Cobalt Blue alone to communicate state. Add an icon, label or underline so the meaning survives for colour-blind users and in greyscale printing.
- When placing text over a photograph tinted with Cobalt Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Cobalt Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--cobalt-blue: #0047AB;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--cobalt-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #0047AB;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #0047AB; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Cobalt Blue #0047AB
</div>Common uses
- Primary buttons, active navigation states and chart series.
- Royal Navy palettes for brand systems that need a dependable cool anchor.
- Print work where a deep blue is preferred to black, using the CMYK build 100%, 58%, 0%, 33%.
- Data visualisation, as one step in a lightness-based navy scale.
Design recommendations
- Build lighter and darker variants by changing only the lightness in
hsl(215, 100%, 34%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Cobalt Blue at least one warm counterweight. A cool palette with no warm accent tends to read as cold rather than calm.
- Saturation is high here, so use it in measured amounts. Large flat areas of a saturated navy can feel heavy on screen.
Complementary and matching colors
Each of these is derived from the hue, saturation and lightness of Cobalt Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Cobalt Blue
What is the Cobalt Blue color code?
The Cobalt Blue color code is #0047AB in HEX, rgb(0, 71, 171) in RGB and hsl(215, 100%, 34%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Cobalt Blue?
Cobalt Blue is rgb(0, 71, 171), meaning 0 units of red, 71 of green and 171 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Cobalt Blue?
In CMYK, Cobalt Blue converts to approximately 100%, 58%, 0%, 33%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Cobalt Blue?
White text on Cobalt Blue gives a contrast ratio of 8.44:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Cobalt Blue?
Black text on Cobalt Blue gives a contrast ratio of 2.49:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Cobalt Blue?
Its direct complement is #FF990A, and the warm accent #E4C944 works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Cobalt Blue a light or dark navy?
At 34% lightness, Cobalt Blue is classed as a mid-tone navy in this collection.