What Is Medium Blue?
Medium blue is a shade of blue that falls somewhere between light blue and dark blue on the color wheel. It is considered a vibrant, saturated shade that is quite eye-catching, yet still professional and versatile enough for many different uses.
Some key facts about medium blue:
It’s a Primary Color
Blue is one of the three primary colors, along with red and yellow. This means it can’t be made by mixing other colors together, and other shades of blue contain at least some amount of pure blue. Medium blue sits right in the middle of the blue color spectrum.
Its Hex Code is #0000CD
In web design and digital applications, colors are often specified using hexadecimal color codes. The hex code for medium blue is #0000CD. This code tells computers to make a color using 0% red, 0% green, 80% blue.
Hex codes are important to note if you ever need to precisely match a certain shade of medium blue. The code #0000CD will always return the same medium blue color.
It’s Also Known as Blue-Purple
Some people refer to medium blue as blue-purple since it contains hints of purple or violet. On the traditional RYB color wheel, blue that leans toward purple is created by mixing just blue and red pigments.
So you may hear medium blue called blue-purple from time to time. It sits between the primary blue and the secondary purple.
Medium Blue Has a Brightness of About 50%
Color brightness refers to how light or dark a color appears. Brightness levels range from 0% (pure black) to 100% (pure white). At around 50% brightness, medium blue is right in the middle.
This means it has a noticeable saturation without being overpowering. It also contrasts well against light and dark backgrounds.
It’s Considered a Cool Color
Colors are often categorized into “cool” and “warm” tones. Cool colors like blue, green, and purple give off a calming vibe. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow feel energetic and bold.
Since blue is the epitome of cool colors, medium blue also has a cool, soothing effect. It isn’t as icy as light blue and isn’t as bold as dark blue. The warmth level is just right for many applications.
Medium Blue Has Tones of Tranquility and Intelligence
Color psychology suggests blue tones are linked to feelings of tranquility, wisdom, confidence, and intelligence. Lighter blues are more peaceful, while darker blues come across as authoritative.
As a middle blue, medium blue expertly straddles this line. It is both gently tranquil and smartly professional at the same time.
How Medium Blue Got Its Name
Obviously, medium blue got its name by being in the middle of the blue color spectrum. But why is blue called blue in the first place?
The word blue traces back to the Old English word “blǣw.” Germanic languages like Old English didn’t have specific names for colors like we do today. They often described colors based on their brightness levels.
“Blǣw” was equivalent to the word “livid” which meant pale, dull, or darkened. This described how lighter blue pigments often look compared to vibrant reds and yellows.
Over centuries of linguistic evolution, “blǣw” morphed into the word “blue” we know today. Medium blue gets its heritage from being the mid-range shade of this broadly-defined color.
Where Medium Blue Appears in Nature
While synthetic medium blue can be precisely created using RGB or CMYK combinations, several examples of medium blue also appear in the natural world. These include:
- Bluebird feathers
- Bluebonnet petals
- Cornflower blooms
- Tropical sea waters
- Peacock tail feathers
- The vibrant blue poison dart frog
- Some varieties of hydrangea
- Select iris flowers
- Kingfisher and jaybird plumage
- Blue raspberry candy or drinks
Spotting medium blue in nature helps add texture and dimension when designing with this versatile shade.
Medium Blue Use in Design and Fashion
When used in design and fashion, medium blue can take on many unique personality traits. Here are some common ways medium blue is utilized creatively:
Website Design
Medium blue works great for creating a soothing, professional mood. It is often used for website links, hover effects, banners, backgrounds, and accents.
Business Branding
For business branding, medium blue strikes the ideal balance between friendliness and authority. It is commonly seen in the logos and branding of banks, technology companies, medical facilities, and research firms.
Uniforms
From police to flight attendants, many uniforms leverage medium blue hues. This shade has an official look that demands respect.
Home Decor
Paint your walls medium blue to give any room an instant style upgrade. This colorful neutral works in almost any space. Use accents in shades of orange, yellow, purple, white and green.
Prom Dresses
A medium blue prom dress helps you stand out from the crowd. Much more modern than traditional black dresses, medium blue looks great on any skin tone.
Men’s Fashion
From polo shirts to suits, ties, and casual wear, medium blue flatters most men’s skin and hair tones. It is versatile enough for work, formal events, or weekend wear.
How Lighting Affects Medium Blue
One important consideration when working with medium blue is how lighting conditions affect its appearance.
Under warm, yellow lighting, medium blue shifts toward its violet tones and appears richer. Under cool, blue lighting, it retains its blue hue but can look pale and icy. Bright white light keeps its vibrant medium blue personality.
So be sure to view medium blue colors under your actual lighting conditions before fully committing to it. Colors often look much different under store lighting than they do at home.
Complementary Colors for Medium Blue
The complementary color for any blue shade is orange. Orange and blue are opposites on the color wheel, making them naturally eye-catching together.
But many other colors also look gorgeous when paired with medium blue. Some top options include:
- Yellow – Another primary color, yellow adds cheer and warmth.
- Purple – Blend medium blue with its secondary cousin purple.
- Green – Earthy, relaxing green is always a safe bet.
- Pink – Vibrant pink gives medium blue a feminine twist.
- Red – For bold contrast, medium blue pops next to red.
- White – Clean, bright white highlights medium blue’s richness.
Gray, black, and brown are also suitable neutrals for grounding medium blue in any design.
Tips for Decorating with Medium Blue
If you’re ready to use medium blue to transform your home or office, keep these handy decorating tips in mind:
- Use it sparingly. A little medium blue goes a long way, especially on walls. Stick to one or two accent walls or pieces.
- Be consistent. Repeat medium blue hues throughout a space for a cohesive feel.
- Add texture. Layer in natural materials like wood, stone, metals, and live plants to add depth.
- Highlight with white. Crisp white trim, ceilings, furniture and decor keep medium blue looking fresh.
- Watch light sources. Avoid hiding light fixtures or windows with medium blue. Opt for sheer curtains instead of blackout shades.
By thoughtfully decorating with medium blue, you can create a stunning yet versatile living space.
Medium Blue Color Codes
To make recreating medium blue easier across different mediums, here are some of its most common color codes:
| Color System | Medium Blue Code |
|---|---|
| HEX | #0000CD |
| RGB | R: 0 G: 0 B: 205 |
| CMYK | C: 100 M: 100 Y: 0 K: 19 |
| Pantone | Pantone 2728C |
| HSL | H: 225 S: 100 L: 53 |
Use these handy codes whenever you need an exact medium blue for your project.
Conclusion
Medium blue is a vivid, versatile shade that uniquely straddles the line between light and dark, cool and warm. It provides a universally flattering pop of color that works well in fashion, decoration, web design, branding, and more.
Compared to more specialized blues, medium blue is one of the most flexible shades. Whether you pair it with complementary oranges, vivid purples, earthy greens and browns, or clean whites and grays, it consistently delivers that ideal balance of energy and tranquility.
Next time you need the perfect sophisticated yet eye-catching blue, turn to the timeless beauty of medium blue. With so many creative ways to implement it, the possibilities are endless.
