Imperial Blue color code: #002395
A flag-strength blue, dense and highly saturated across both print and screen.
Imperial Blue · rgb(0, 35, 149)
Every format for Imperial Blue
- HEX
- #002395
- RGB
- rgb(0, 35, 149)
- HSL
- hsl(226, 100%, 29%)
- HSV
- 226°, 100%, 58%
- CMYK
- 100%, 77%, 0%, 42%
- Lightness
- 29% · dark
Hue sits at 226°, which makes Imperial Blue a true blue navy, with 100% saturation. In the Royal Navy family it reads as a dark option.
Text contrast on Imperial 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 Imperial Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
12.54:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Imperial Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1.67:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyImperial Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
12.54:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Imperial Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 12.54:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Imperial 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 Imperial Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Imperial Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--imperial-blue: #002395;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--imperial-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #002395;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #002395; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Imperial Blue #002395
</div>Common uses
- Page and section backgrounds in dark interfaces, where it holds white text cleanly.
- 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%, 77%, 0%, 42%.
- 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(226, 100%, 29%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Imperial 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 Imperial Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Imperial Blue
What is the Imperial Blue color code?
The Imperial Blue color code is #002395 in HEX, rgb(0, 35, 149) in RGB and hsl(226, 100%, 29%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Imperial Blue?
Imperial Blue is rgb(0, 35, 149), meaning 0 units of red, 35 of green and 149 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Imperial Blue?
In CMYK, Imperial Blue converts to approximately 100%, 77%, 0%, 42%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Imperial Blue?
White text on Imperial Blue gives a contrast ratio of 12.54:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Imperial Blue?
Black text on Imperial Blue gives a contrast ratio of 1.67:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Imperial Blue?
Its direct complement is #F0B800, and the warm accent #DFE236 works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Imperial Blue a light or dark navy?
At 29% lightness, Imperial Blue is classed as a dark navy in this collection.