Yale Blue color code: #0F4D92
An institutional blue that balances brightness with enough depth for text on white.
Yale Blue · rgb(15, 77, 146)
Every format for Yale Blue
- HEX
- #0F4D92
- RGB
- rgb(15, 77, 146)
- HSL
- hsl(212, 81%, 32%)
- HSV
- 212°, 90%, 57%
- CMYK
- 90%, 47%, 0%, 43%
- Lightness
- 32% · mid-tone
Hue sits at 212°, which makes Yale Blue a slightly cool blue navy, with 81% saturation. In the Royal Navy family it reads as a mid-tone option.
Text contrast on Yale 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 Yale Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.41:1 — AAA for normal textBlack text on Yale Blue
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
2.5:1 — below AA, decorative use onlyYale Blue text on white
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
8.41:1 — AAA for normal textAccessibility notes
- Pair Yale Blue with white text for the strongest reading experience: that combination gives 8.41:1.
- Used as a text colour on white, it clears the 3:1 bar for large headings.
- Never rely on Yale 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 Yale Blue, add a solid overlay first. Contrast measured against a flat colour does not hold over varying imagery.
Using Yale Blue in CSS and HTML
CSS example
:root {
--yale-blue: #0F4D92;
}
.panel {
background-color: var(--yale-blue);
color: #FFFFFF;
border: 1px solid #0F4D92;
}HTML example
<div style="background-color: #0F4D92; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 1rem;">
Yale Blue #0F4D92
</div>Common uses
- Primary buttons, active navigation states and chart series.
- 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 90%, 47%, 0%, 43%.
- 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, 81%, 32%). Keeping hue fixed is what makes a scale look intentional. - Give Yale 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 Yale Blue. Click a swatch to copy it.
Similar navy shades
Continue exploring
FAQs about Yale Blue
What is the Yale Blue color code?
The Yale Blue color code is #0F4D92 in HEX, rgb(15, 77, 146) in RGB and hsl(212, 81%, 32%) in HSL.
What is the RGB value of Yale Blue?
Yale Blue is rgb(15, 77, 146), meaning 15 units of red, 77 of green and 146 of blue on the 0 to 255 scale.
What is the CMYK value of Yale Blue?
In CMYK, Yale Blue converts to approximately 90%, 47%, 0%, 43%. Printed output will look slightly less saturated than the screen preview because CMYK covers a narrower gamut.
Does white text work on Yale Blue?
White text on Yale Blue gives a contrast ratio of 8.41:1, which is AAA for normal text.
Does black text work on Yale Blue?
Black text on Yale Blue gives a contrast ratio of 2.5:1, which is below AA, decorative use only.
Which colors go with Yale Blue?
Its direct complement is #E78618, and the warm accent #E4C144 works well for calls to action. For a quieter scheme, pair it with the analogous blues listed above.
Is Yale Blue a light or dark navy?
At 32% lightness, Yale Blue is classed as a mid-tone navy in this collection.