Which navy is “navy blue”?
The name comes from the dark blue of naval officers' uniforms, and there was never one exact dye. On the web, #000080 is the agreed answer: it is the CSS keyword navy and also the “Navy Blue” entry in the colour-name list we use. That list also has a separate “Navy” at #01153E, which looks more like the navy of suits and uniforms: darker, a little greener and nearer black.
| Name | HEX | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Navy (CSS) | #000080 | Pure blue at half brightness; still clearly blue on screen |
| Navy (name list) | #01153E | Uniform-style navy; can pass for black in dim light |
| Midnight blue (CSS) | #191970 | Softer than navy because a little red and green are mixed in |
| Navy Blazer | #2A2E3F | Greyed navy, close to charcoal |
Navy vs royal blue
Royal blue (#4169E1) is much lighter and brighter, with a hue nudged towards cyan. Navy reads as formal and steady; royal blue reads as energetic. The practical difference shows up with text: white on navy scores 16.01:1, while white on royal blue only just clears AA at 4.85:1. More on that pairing on the royal blue page.
What goes with navy blue
- Gold: the naval, collegiate look. Gold text on navy scores 11.41:1, so it works for small type too.
- Ivory or cream: softer than white, common for wedding stationery and interiors. Ivory on navy gives 15.87:1.
- Coral or orange: warm accents that stand out against navy because they sit nearly opposite on the wheel.
- Silver and grey: quiet and corporate; silver text on navy is 8.80:1.
Questions
What is the RGB code for navy blue?
rgb(0, 0, 128); HSL hsl(240, 100%, 25%).
Is navy blue a warm or cool colour?
Cool, like all blues. That is why warm accents such as gold, coral and mustard make it come alive.