The darkest shades of blue before black are very deep, rich blues that have an almost black appearance. As blue colors get darker, they take on more of a grayish tone before eventually blending into black. Determining the exact darkest blue before black is subjective, but there are a few key colors that are generally considered among the deepest, richest blues just shy of black.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is one of the most universally recognized dark blues. It is a very deep midnight blue that has a subtle hint of brightness that keeps it from being completely black. Navy gets its name from its use in British Royal Navy uniforms and carries a nautical vibe. This rich blue is the color of the deep sea and night skies just after sunset. It is sophisticated yet versatile enough to pair with many other colors.
| Hex Code | #000080 |
| RGB | 0, 0, 128 |
| CMYK | 100, 100, 0, 50 |
Navy has a RGB value of 0 red, 0 green, and 128 blue. It falls right in the range where the blue component starts to dominate the color mixing. Navy blue works well as a classic neutral that can be easily coordinated. It has a brightness of around 50% which gives it a bold richness.
Midnight Blue
As the name suggests, midnight blue is an extremely dark blue that borders on black. It is so dark that it can be difficult to detect the blue tones. Midnight blue gets its inky appearance from having very minimal red, green, or brightness. It is often described as a “blue black” – richer than straight black but with a depth that swallows light.
| Hex Code | #003366 |
| RGB | 0, 51, 102 |
| CMYK | 100, 50, 0, 60 |
With RGB values of 0 red, 51 green, and 102 blue, midnight blue retains just a hint of blue character. The very low brightness around 20% gives midnight blue its jet black look. At the same time, eliminating all red and minimizing green keeps it distinctly in the blue color family.
Prussian Blue
Prussian blue is another extremely dark blue known for its rich, inky shade. Named after Prussia’s traditional dark blue uniforms, this color borders on black but maintains a mystical depth. Prussian blue is so dark it seems to absorb all light, giving it an intensity that contrasts well against light colors.
| Hex Code | #003153 |
| RGB | 0, 49, 83 |
| CMYK | 100, 41, 0, 67 |
With RGB values of 0 red, 49 green, and 83 blue, Prussian blue has slightly more discernible blue than midnight blue. But its brightness is still extremely low at around 25%, leading to its blackish cast. The complete absence of red keeps it firmly in blue tones.
Space Cadet
Space cadet is a very dark blue with purple undertones. It gets its name from its resemblance to the color of space shuttle astronaut’s uniforms. This rich, deep blue has a cool and elegant vibe. The subtle purple notes add dimension.
| Hex Code | #1D2951 |
| RGB | 29, 41, 81 |
| CMYK | 64, 49, 0, 68 |
With RGB values of 29 red, 41 green, and 81 blue, space cadet mixes in a touch of red and green that shifts it slightly toward purple. It retains a very dark brightness around 25%, but the added red depth gives it a complexity. The blue still dominates at 81.
Dark Blue
Simply named “dark blue”, this rich shade lives up to its description. It has a sophistication and depth that contrasts beautifully against light neutrals or pops as an accent color. Dark blue has just enough discernible blue tones to prevent it from being muddied or black.
| Hex Code | #00022E |
| RGB | 0, 2, 46 |
| CMYK | 100, 96, 0, 82 |
With RGB values of 0 red, 2 green, and 46 blue, dark blue retains the tiniest hints of brightness to give it some energy. The blue dominates at 46 while minimizing the red and green keeps it clean. The brightness is extremely low at around 15%, adding bold contrast.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a rich, jewel-toned blue with elegant royal undertones. It is a mysterious, dramatic blue that sparkles with energy. Named after the gemstone, this blue is brilliant and regal. It has extra depth from slight purple influences.
| Hex Code | #082567 |
| RGB | 8, 37, 103 |
| CMYK | 92, 64, 0, 60 |
With RGB values of 8 red, 37 green, and 103 blue, sapphire mixes in just a touch of supporting colors to give it dimension. The blue still dominates at 103. The brightness sits around 30%, dark enough to be bold while retaining some vibrancy.
Infinity
Infinity is an energetic, cosmic blue that combines darkness with a sense of motion and discovery. It has a mystical, futuristic vibe that conjures images of space and neon accents. The name comes from its sense of depth and timelessness.
| Hex Code | #4F718D |
| RGB | 79, 113, 141 |
| CMYK | 44, 20, 0, 45 |
With RGB values of 79 red, 113 green, and 141 blue, infinity mixes in supportive colors to give it personality. But the 141 blue still dominates the shade. The brightness sits around 45%, allowing the blue tones to remain prominent.
Blue Whale
Blue whale is a gorgeous, deep blue inspired by – as the name suggests – the blue whale. It captures the beauty and depth of the sea through its rich, divine color. Despite its darkness, blue whale has a touch of brightness that suggests sunlight streaming through water.
| Hex Code | #342D7E |
| RGB | 52, 45, 126 |
| CMYK | 59, 64, 0, 51 |
With RGB values of 52 red, 45 green, and 126 blue, blue whale retains the blue brightness needed to avoid muddiness. The 126 blue strength keeps it firmly anchored in rich blue tones. The approximately 40% brightness adds dimension.
Conclusion
When searching for the darkest blues before black, key colors like navy, midnight, and Prussian have an almost-black richness perfect for dramatic contrast. Sapphire and blue whale add a touch of vibrancy. And shades like space cadet and infinity include subtle secondary tones to give new personality to traditional dark blues. With the endless variations and subjectivity around blue hues, there are many contenders for the title of “darkest blue before black”. But these key shades represent the most iconic, sophisticated options.
