Oxford Blue color code: #002147
The historic academic navy, deep and slightly green-shifted compared with pure navy.
Oxford Blue · rgb(0, 33, 71)
Every format for Oxford Blue
- HEX
- #002147
- RGB
- rgb(0, 33, 71)
- HSL
- hsl(212, 100%, 14%)
- HSV
- 212°, 100%, 28%
- CMYK
- 100%, 54%, 0%, 72%
- Lightness
- 14% · dark
Hue sits at 212°, which makes Oxford Blue a slightly cool blue navy, with 100% saturation. In the Dark Navy family it reads as a dark option.
Text contrast on Oxford 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 Oxford Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
16.05:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Oxford Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1.31:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyOxford Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
16.05:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Oxford Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 16.05:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Oxford 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 Oxford Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Oxford Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--oxford-blue: #002147;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--oxford-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #002147;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #002147; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Oxford Blue #002147
</div>Common uses
- Page and section backgrounds in dark interfaces, where it holds white text cleanly.
- Dark 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%, 54%, 0%, 72%.
- 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(212, 100%, 14%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Oxford 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 Oxford Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Oxford Blue
What is the Oxford Blue color code?
The Oxford Blue color code is #002147 in HEX, rgb(0, 33, 71) in RGB and hsl(212, 100%, 14%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Oxford Blue?
Oxford Blue is rgb(0, 33, 71), meaning 0 units of red, 33 of green and 71 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Oxford Blue?
In CMYK, Oxford Blue converts to approximately 100%, 54%, 0%, 72%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Oxford Blue?
White text on Oxford Blue gives a contrast ratio of 16.05:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Oxford Blue?
Black text on Oxford Blue gives a contrast ratio of 1.31:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Oxford Blue?
Its direct complement is #B35F00, and the warm accent #B3911A works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Oxford Blue a light or dark navy?
At 14% lightness, Oxford Blue is classed as a dark navy in this collection.