Prussian Blue color code: #003153
A pigment-derived blue with a teal bias, familiar from etchings and technical drawings.
Prussian Blue · rgb(0, 49, 83)
Every format for Prussian Blue
- HEX
- #003153
- RGB
- rgb(0, 49, 83)
- HSL
- hsl(205, 100%, 16%)
- HSV
- 205°, 100%, 33%
- CMYK
- 100%, 41%, 0%, 67%
- Lightness
- 16% · dark
Hue sits at 205°, which makes Prussian Blue a slightly cool blue navy, with 100% saturation. In the Dark Navy family it reads as a dark option.
Text contrast on Prussian 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 Prussian Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
13.43:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Prussian Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
1.56:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyPrussian Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
13.43:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Prussian Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 13.43:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Prussian 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 Prussian Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Prussian Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--prussian-blue: #003153;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--prussian-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #003153;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #003153; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Prussian Blue #003153
</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%, 41%, 0%, 67%.
- 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(205, 100%, 16%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Prussian 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 Prussian Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Prussian Blue
What is the Prussian Blue color code?
The Prussian Blue color code is #003153 in HEX, rgb(0, 49, 83) in RGB and hsl(205, 100%, 16%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Prussian Blue?
Prussian Blue is rgb(0, 49, 83), meaning 0 units of red, 49 of green and 83 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Prussian Blue?
In CMYK, Prussian Blue converts to approximately 100%, 41%, 0%, 67%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Prussian Blue?
White text on Prussian Blue gives a contrast ratio of 13.43:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Prussian Blue?
Black text on Prussian Blue gives a contrast ratio of 1.56:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Prussian Blue?
Its direct complement is #B34A00, and the warm accent #BB861B works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Prussian Blue a light or dark navy?
At 16% lightness, Prussian Blue is classed as a dark navy in this collection.