Blue is a popular color that comes in many different shades and tones. While lighter blues like sky blue and baby blue are quite common, there are also very dark shades of blue that verge on black. When people refer to a “dark blue” they usually mean a deep, rich navy. But what is the actual darkest blue called? There are a few contenders for the title of the darkest blue.
Prussian Blue
One of the darkest blues is known as Prussian blue. Prussian blue is a very deep, dark blue color that almost appears black. It was first synthesized back in the early 18th century and was one of the first modern synthetic pigments.
Prussian blue gets its name from Prussia, a historical state that was centered in parts of modern-day Germany and Poland. It became strongly associated with Prussia and was used in Prussian army uniforms. The deep blue color provided camouflage and became iconic for the Prussian forces.
The hexadecimal code for Prussian blue is #003153. This dark blue is quite neutral and desaturated compared to brighter blues. It falls very low on the color wheel and could almost be classified as a shade of black rather than blue due to its extreme darkness.
Midnight Blue
Another contender for the darkest blue is midnight blue. As the name suggests, this is the dark blue color of the night sky around midnight. When the sky is clear of clouds and pollution, it achieves its darkest natural blue tone.
Midnight blue is not completely black but it is an extremely dark shade of blue that leans further into black tones. It is a somewhat reddish dark blue that still maintains enough blue pigment to read as a very deep blue rather than true black.
The hexadecimal code for midnight blue is #003366. This makes it slightly lighter and brighter than Prussian blue, though still very dark. Midnight blue is a popular color for formalwear like tuxedos and evening gowns. It has an elegant, rich look.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is another top contender for the title of darkest blue. Navy blue refers to the very dark blue color used in British Royal Navy uniforms. It later spread in popularity and became a standard color for many navies around the world.
Navy blue sits between Prussian blue and midnight blue in terms of how dark it is. It is darker than midnight blue but not quite as dark as Prussian blue. The hexadecimal code for navy blue is #000080.
Navy blue is the color most people think of when they imagine a deep, rich blue. It looks professional and authoritative, which is why it was chosen for naval uniforms and remains a staple in corporate and formalwear.
International Klein Blue
International Klein Blue is an extremely dark blue that was patented by the French artist Yves Klein in the 1960s. Klein worked extensively with this tone of blue which he viewed as the perfect nuance between blue and black.
The artist used International Klein Blue as a signature across his paintings, sculptures, and other works. He believed he actually invented the shade and had it patented, although many critics said it looked nearly identical to ultramarine.
International Klein Blue sits alongside midnight blue and navy blue as one of the darkest blues used in art and design. It is a useful reference point for the most saturated, non-black blues.
Indigo
Indigo is a chromatic purple-blue color that sits at the furthest end of the visible blue spectrum before shifting into purple hues. While indigo has a blue appearance, it is technically classified as a non-spectral color, meaning the eye perceives it as a mixture of violet and blue.
Indigo pigment has been produced for thousands of years by cultures around the world. Traditional indigo dye was used to color fabrics blue. While brighter blues can be extracted from indigo, it can also produce an extremely dark blue-black pigment.
At its darkest shades, indigo produces a near-black blue similar to Prussian blue and International Klein Blue. So in terms of deep blues, indigo is definitively one of the darkest available.
Payne’s Gray
Payne’s Gray is a dark blue-gray color used in painting and design. It was first formulated in the 18th century and is useful for mixing deep, dark blues. While not a pure blue, Payne’s Gray contains blue pigments and can be used as a midnight blue or navy blue depending on the ratios.
Payne’s Gray is much darker and more saturated than regular gray. With the right blending, it can create an extremely dark midnight tone reminiscent of the night sky. Payne’s Gray allows more control over the saturation levels compared to pre-mixed navy or midnight blues.
Dark Blue Comparison Table
| Blue Color Name | Hex Code | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Prussian Blue | #003153 | Extremely dark cyan-blue, almost black |
| Midnight Blue | #003366 | Dark blue with subtle red tones |
| Navy Blue | #000080 | Rich dark blue, slightly desaturated |
| International Klein Blue | #002FA7 | Very dark patented blue by Yves Klein |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | Dark chromatic purple-blue |
| Payne’s Gray | #657383 | Dark blue-gray paint used for mixing |
This table compares some of the darkest blues and their distinguishing characteristics. While very similar in appearance, there are subtle differences between each deep blue shade.
Which Blue is the Darkest?
Based on the above comparisons, the title of “darkest blue” would likely go to Prussian blue. The hexadecimal code #003153 is the deepest, most saturated pure blue that still reads as a true blue rather than black.
Prussian blue is the closest to true black on the blue spectrum. It reflects the least amount of light compared to midnight, navy, and the other contenders. Prussian blue evokes a sense of mystery and intimidation with its near-black appearance.
However, the darkest tones of indigo dye also rival Prussian blue in terms of depth and saturation. At their maximum darkness, indigo dyes can produce an extremely dark, near-black blue on par with Prussian blue.
So in summary, the darkest blues are Prussian blue and the deepest hues of indigo – near-black colors sitting at the absolute edge of the visible blue spectrum. No other blue shades come as close to black while still retaining their blue pigmentation.
Uses of the Darkest Blues
Despite their gloominess, the darkest blues actually see widespread use in art, design, and fashion:
– **Prussian blue** – Used historically in Prussian army uniforms and remains a staple color for painting. Provides a rich, deep contrast to lighter blues.
– **Midnight & Navy blue** – Formalwear like tuxedos, evening gowns, naval uniforms, and corporate suits. Conveys elegance and professionalism.
– **Indigo** – Traditional dye used around the world to color fabrics dark blue or black. Provides a high contrast look.
– **International Klein Blue** – Used heavily by artist Yves Klein. Distinctly associated with his body of work and philosophy.
– **Payne’s Gray** – Useful for mixing customized dark blues for painting without pre-mixed pigments.
So while they may seem foreboding, deep dark blues fill an important role across many disciplines. They allow high contrast with brighter colors and convey elegance and prestige. The darkest blues strike a careful balance between black and true blue.
Conclusion
The darkest blues sit at the edge of the blue spectrum right before it shifts into black and purple tones. Of all the dark blue shades, Prussian blue and the deepest indigo dyes come the closest to a true black while still retaining their blue coloring. Midnight, navy, and International Klein Blue are also among the darkest blue hues. So in summary, the title of “darkest blue” belongs to Prussian blue, along with its close cousins like indigo that produce a near-black color still classified as blue rather than black itself. Despite their gloomy darkness, these shades see widespread use in design and art for their dramatic contrast and stately elegance.
