Dark blue is a deep, rich shade of the color blue that evokes a sense of mystery and sophistication. When thinking about dark blues, imagine the deep blue of a stormy sea under a moonlit sky or the dark ink of a fountain pen. There are many variations of dark blue that range from slightly muted tones to very deep midnight hues.
Defining Dark Blue
On the color wheel, blue is one of the three primary colors along with red and yellow. The shade of blue around the 275-290 degree mark on the color wheel is considered a true or pure blue. As you add black or gray to pure blue, it becomes darker and shifts into a shade of dark blue.
There are no strict definitions for what constitutes a dark blue, but generally dark blues have low luminosity, meaning they reflect little light. Dark blues also typically have low saturation or intensity. Some descriptors for dark blues include navy, midnight, cobalt, and sapphire.
Dark Blue Characteristics
Here are some key characteristics of dark blue shades:
- Low luminosity – Dark blues reflect little light and have a lower luminance value.
- Low saturation – They are less saturated or intense than lighter blues.
- Cool undertones – Dark blues have cool undertones compared to warm shades.
- Sophisticated feeling – Darker blues are associated with depth, expertise, and sophistication.
- Serene feeling – Despite being a cooler tone, darker blues also evoke a serene feeling.
- Formal – Dark blue is widely viewed as a more formal and professional color.
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel, blue shades are primary colors. But on the modern RGB (red, green, blue) and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color models, blue is created by adding two primary colors.
Popular Dark Blue Shades
There are many pre-defined dark blue colors used in design, fashion, decorating, and beyond. Here are some of the most popular dark blue shades:
Navy Blue
Navy blue is a very dark shade of blue named after the dark blue uniforms worn by officers in the British Royal Navy. It straddles the line between a pure blue and a blue-black. Navy blue is similar to the standard blue on printers and computer screens.
Midnight Blue
Midnight blue is an extremely dark shade of blue that borders on black. It is quite a bit darker than navy blue. Midnight blue got its name because it resembles the sky on a clear night around midnight.
Prussian Blue
Prussian blue is a very dark blue that has a blackish tint. It was originally synthesized around 1704 and was historically used in oil paint and Prussian blue dye. The exact hue can vary based on the process used to create it.
Indigo
Indigo is a deep blue color positioned between violet and blue on the color wheel. It has a similar hue to midnight blue but is slightly less dark with a very slight purple tinge. Historically, indigo dye was made from the indigo plant.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a medium to medium-dark blue inspired by the gemstone of the same name. It is brighter and more vibrant than many other dark blues. The name sapphire blue reflects the saturated blue color of the prized sapphire gem.
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt blue is a rich, medium-dark blue with a very slight purple/pink undertone. It gets its name from the element cobalt which has been used to create blue pigments since ancient times. Cobalt blue is a mainstay color in art and design.
Dark Blue Color Codes
Each of these popular dark blue shades has specific hex, RGB, and CMYK color codes used for web design, digital design, print production, and manufacturing. Here are some of the key color codes:
| Color | Hex | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Blue | #000080 | 0, 0, 128 | 100, 100, 0, 50 |
| Midnight Blue | #003366 | 0, 51, 102 | 100, 70, 0, 60 |
| Prussian Blue | #003153 | 0, 49, 83 | 100, 80, 0, 67 |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | 75, 0, 130 | 80, 100, 0, 49 |
| Sapphire | #082567 | 8, 37, 103 | 90, 65, 0, 60 |
| Cobalt Blue | #0047AB | 0, 71, 171 | 100, 60, 0, 33 |
Psychology of Dark Blue
Darker shades of blue have quite different psychological effects and associations compared to lighter blues. Here is an overview of the psychology behind various dark blues:
- Trustworthiness – Dark blues like navy and midnight blue inspire trust and integrity.
- Sophistication – Darker blues are associated with depth, expertise, and refinement.
- Security – The darker tone provides a sense of stability and calm.
- Masculinity – More than lighter blues, dark blues skew towards masculinity.
- Depression – In some contexts, dark blues can evoke sadness.
- Mystery – The depth of dark blues feels intriguing and secretive.
Dark blue’s association with trust and sophistication makes it a great choice for financial brands, law firms, universities, and other corporations that want to convey credibility and intelligence.
Uses of Dark Blue
With their sophisticated, serious, and subtle emotional impact, dark blue shades are extremely versatile. Here are some of the most common uses of dark blues:
Formal Business Attire
Dark blue suits and dresses are a staple in formal business attire. Navy, midnight, and other dark blues project professionalism and competence.
Uniforms
Dark blues, especially navy, are commonly used for uniforms including police, flight crew, medical professionals, military, and private school uniforms.
Interior Design
Painting walls or using dark blue decor adds a touch of sophistication. But too much dark blue can feel cold, so it’s often balanced with warm metals and wood tones.
Website Design
Dark blue makes an excellent, trusted choice for website design. It provides a stable background that directs attention to other colors and elements on the page.
Product Design
Dark blue gives a polished, upscale look to products like electronics, kitchen appliances, luggage, and more. It is widely favored by product designers.
Packaging
On packaging dark blue promotes trusted brands, especially for specialty foods, pet foods, cleaning products, and other household goods.
Dark Blue in Nature
While not extremely common in nature, there are some natural examples of dark blues found in plants, animals, and minerals:
- Blueberries – Fully ripe blueberries take on a deep, midnight blue.
- Blue butterfly wings – Some species like the Blue Morpho butterfly have dark blue wings.
- Blue flowers – Iris, hydrangea, and delphinium can have very deep blue petals.
- Blue minerals – Azurite, lapis lazuli, and sodalite display rich dark blues.
- Blue animals – Some lizards, snakes, birds, and fish have dark blue scales or feathers.
- Oceans – The ocean appears midnight blue when viewed from a distance in very deep waters.
So while not the most common color in the natural world, vibrant dark blues can be found in a diverse array of plants, animals, and geologic formations.
Dark Blue Dyes and Pigments
Creating consistent, long-lasting dark blue dyes and pigments has historically been a challenge. Many of the early synthetic dark blues faded quickly. Here are some key pigments and dyes that revolutionized dark blue coloring:
- Indigo – One of the only natural blue dyes, indigo has been used for centuries and known for its intensity.
- Prussian blue – First synthesized 1704, it was a stable, affordable dark blue pigment.
- Cobalt blue – Cobalt has been used since ancient times to create rich blues for painting.
- Phthalocyanine blue – A synthetic pigment first created in the 1930s with excellent stability.
- Navy blue – Modern navy blue dyes create a consistent dark blue color on textiles.
Thanks to modern chemistry, we now have access to a wide spectrum of deep, dark blue dyes and pigments for every application imaginable.
Conclusion
Dark shades of blue have an elegant, mysterious quality unmatched by other colors. They straddle the line between warm and cool tones. Dark blues are sophisticated yet soothing, formal yet freeing. The depth of darker blues inspires contemplation and intraprection. Whether using it in clothing, interior design, visual arts, or digital design, dark blue’s versatility and complexity make it a color with limitless potential.
