Iron Navy color code: #2B3A42
A dark blue-grey with a faint green undertone, close to cast iron.
Iron Navy · rgb(43, 58, 66)
Every format for Iron Navy
- HEX
- #2B3A42
- RGB
- rgb(43, 58, 66)
- HSL
- hsl(201, 21%, 21%)
- HSV
- 201°, 35%, 26%
- CMYK
- 35%, 12%, 0%, 74%
- Lightness
- 21% · dark
Hue sits at 201°, which makes Iron Navy a teal-leaning navy, with 21% saturation. In the Metallic Navy family it reads as a dark option.
Text contrast on Iron 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 Iron Navy
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
11.75:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Iron Navy
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1.79:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyIron Navy text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
11.75:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Iron Navy with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 11.75:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Iron 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 Iron Navy, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Iron Navy in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--iron-navy: #2B3A42;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--iron-navy);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #2B3A42;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #2B3A42; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Iron Navy #2B3A42
</div>Common uses
- Page and section backgrounds in dark interfaces, where it holds white text cleanly.
- Metallic 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 35%, 12%, 0%, 74%.
- 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(201, 21%, 21%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Iron 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 Iron Navy. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Iron Navy
What is the Iron Navy color code?
The Iron Navy color code is #2B3A42 in HEX, rgb(43, 58, 66) in RGB and hsl(201, 21%, 21%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Iron Navy?
Iron Navy is rgb(43, 58, 66), meaning 43 units of red, 58 of green and 66 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Iron Navy?
In CMYK, Iron Navy converts to approximately 35%, 12%, 0%, 74%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Iron Navy?
White text on Iron Navy gives a contrast ratio of 11.75:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Iron Navy?
Black text on Iron Navy gives a contrast ratio of 1.79:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Iron Navy?
Its direct complement is #785D4F, and the warm accent #A98247 works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Iron Navy a light or dark navy?
At 21% lightness, Iron Navy is classed as a dark navy in this collection.