Navy Blue color code: #000080
The original web-safe navy defined in the CSS specification, sitting at exactly half intensity on the blue channel.
Navy Blue · rgb(0, 0, 128)
Every format for Navy Blue
- HEX
- #000080
- RGB
- rgb(0, 0, 128)
- HSL
- hsl(240, 100%, 25%)
- HSV
- 240°, 100%, 50%
- CMYK
- 100%, 100%, 0%, 50%
- Lightness
- 25% · dark
Hue sits at 240°, which makes Navy Blue a true blue navy, with 100% saturation. In the Classic Navy family it reads as a dark option.
Text contrast on Navy 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 Navy Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
16.01:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Navy Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1.31:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyNavy Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
16.01:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Navy Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 16.01:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Navy 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 Navy Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Navy Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--navy-blue: #000080;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--navy-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #000080;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #000080; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Navy Blue #000080
</div>Common uses
- Page and section backgrounds in dark interfaces, where it holds white text cleanly.
- Classic 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%, 100%, 0%, 50%.
- 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(240, 100%, 25%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Navy 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 Navy Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Navy Blue
What is the Navy Blue color code?
The Navy Blue color code is #000080 in HEX, rgb(0, 0, 128) in RGB and hsl(240, 100%, 25%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Navy Blue?
Navy Blue is rgb(0, 0, 128), meaning 0 units of red, 0 of green and 128 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Navy Blue?
In CMYK, Navy Blue converts to approximately 100%, 100%, 0%, 50%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Navy Blue?
White text on Navy Blue gives a contrast ratio of 16.01:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Navy Blue?
Black text on Navy Blue gives a contrast ratio of 1.31:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Navy Blue?
Its direct complement is #DBDB00, and the warm accent #B1E024 works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Navy Blue a light or dark navy?
At 25% lightness, Navy Blue is classed as a dark navy in this collection.