Cerulean is a medium blue-green color that was first introduced by Crayola in 1993 as one of the colors in their signature box of crayons. The name cerulean comes from the Latin word caeruleus meaning “dark blue, blue, or blue-green”. Since its debut, cerulean has become a popular Crayola crayon color and is commonly used in art, design, and fashion. But what exactly is the specific hex code that Crayola has designated for its cerulean crayon? Read on to find out the technical details behind Crayola’s distinctive cerulean color.
Defining Hex Codes
Hex codes are six-digit codes that represent colors in mixing red, green, and blue light. Hex codes are written with a pound sign (#) followed by six hexadecimal digits from 0 to F which stand for the decimal numbers 0 to 255. For example, pure red is encoded in hex as #FF0000, pure green is #00FF00, and pure blue is #0000FF. By mixing different levels of red, green, and blue, millions of possible colors can be defined. Hex codes allow colors to be displayed accurately and consistently across different mediums like web pages, graphic design, product specifications, and more.
Crayola’s Cerulean Hex Code
So what is the specific hex code for Crayola’s signature cerulean crayon color? According to Crayola, the hex code they have designated for cerulean is #007BA7. Breaking this code down:
– # – Indicates this is a hex color code
– 00 – The red value, which is 0 out of 255
– 7B – The green value, which is 123 out of 255
– A7 – The blue value, which is 167 out of 255
This combination of a medium amount of green, a larger amount of blue, and no red produces the blue-green cerulean color that Crayola is known for.
Interestingly, Crayola’s cerulean has not always had this exact hex code. In the 1990s when cerulean first debuted, it was formulated as #1CAC78. Sometime after 2000, Crayola reformulated their crayon colors and cerulean was changed to the current #007BA7 hex. So if you have an older cerulean crayon, it may not precisely match the current web or digital standard for cerulean.
Cerulean vs. Other Blue-Greens
How does Crayola’s trademarked cerulean compare to other shades of blue-green? Here are some other well-known blue-greens and their hex codes:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Cerulean (Crayola) | #007BA7 |
| Teal | #008080 |
| Blue-green | #0D98BA |
| Pacific Blue | #1CA9C9 |
| Caribbean Green | #00CC99 |
As you can see, Crayola’s cerulean is generally darker and more blue than these other shades. It has less green than classic teal and lacks the bright pop of pure Caribbean green. Cerulean is muted and sophisticated–ideal for coloring the sky, water, or as an accent color.
Cerulean in Art and Design
Thanks to Crayola, cerulean has become a staple color for artists, designers, and creatives. Here are some of the most iconic uses of Crayola’s famous cerulean:
– The cerulean blue gown in the movie The Devil Wears Prada – This vivid cerulean dress makes an impression on Andy and represents the influential nature of the fashion industry.
– Cerulean as Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2000 – The Pantone Color Institute chose cerulean as its coveted color for the new millennium.
– Using cerulean for beach and ocean scenes – Cerulean’s cool, aquatic vibe makes it the perfect choice for depicting tropical waters, skies, and more. Artists mix cerulean with white to create beautiful seafoam green colors.
– In logos and branding – Companies like Adobe, PayPal, and Sephora have used cerulean to convey trust, openness, and tranquility.
– Clothing and accessories – Fashion designers often incorporate cerulean accents into their collections. Cerulean evokes relaxation and creativity.
So whenever you see that distinctive blue-green in art and culture, chances are it was inspired by Crayola’s signature cerulean crayon!
Conclusion
Crayola’s hex code for cerulean offers artists, designers, and creators a way to work with an iconic, vibrant color. Using the technical specifications behind the color allows for accuracy and consistency across projects and mediums. With a formula of #007BA7, Crayola’s cerulean stands out as a one-of-a-kind blue-green that inspired a generation of creative expression. So next time you’re crafting, designing, or creating, consider adding a dash of Crayola cerulean to make your colors pop!