Faded Navy color code: #3B5170
A washed navy that mimics indigo cloth after repeated laundering.
Faded Navy · rgb(59, 81, 112)
Every format for Faded Navy
- HEX
- #3B5170
- RGB
- rgb(59, 81, 112)
- HSL
- hsl(215, 31%, 34%)
- HSV
- 215°, 47%, 44%
- CMYK
- 47%, 28%, 0%, 56%
- Lightness
- 34% · mid-tone
Hue sits at 215°, which makes Faded Navy a slightly cool blue navy, with 31% saturation. In the Denim Navy family it reads as a mid-tone option.
Text contrast on Faded Navy
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 Faded Navy
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.09:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Faded Navy
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
2.6:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyFaded Navy text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.09:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Faded Navy with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 8.09:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Faded Navy 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 Faded Navy, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Faded Navy in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--faded-navy: #3B5170;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--faded-navy);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #3B5170;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #3B5170; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Faded Navy #3B5170
</div>Common uses
- Primary buttons, active navigation states and chart series.
- Denim 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 47%, 28%, 0%, 56%.
- 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, 31%, 34%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Faded Navy at least one warm counterweight. A cool palette with no warm accent tends to read as cold rather than calm.
- Saturation is moderate, which makes this shade forgiving across large areas and long reading sessions.
Complementary and matching colors
Each of these is derived from the hue, saturation and lightness of Faded Navy. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Faded Navy
What is the Faded Navy color code?
The Faded Navy color code is #3B5170 in HEX, rgb(59, 81, 112) in RGB and hsl(215, 31%, 34%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Faded Navy?
Faded Navy is rgb(59, 81, 112), meaning 59 units of red, 81 of green and 112 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Faded Navy?
In CMYK, Faded Navy converts to approximately 47%, 28%, 0%, 56%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Faded Navy?
White text on Faded Navy gives a contrast ratio of 8.09:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Faded Navy?
Black text on Faded Navy gives a contrast ratio of 2.6:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Faded Navy?
Its direct complement is #AB8B5F, and the warm accent #CBB85D works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Faded Navy a light or dark navy?
At 34% lightness, Faded Navy is classed as a mid-tone navy in this collection.