There are a few common names used to refer to lighter shades of blue, though the exact definitions can vary. Some of the most common terms for light blue colors include:
Baby Blue
Baby blue refers to a pale tint of azure that is typical of baby blankets and clothing. It is meant to be a soft, comforting shade associated with infants. The exact specifications can vary, but in general it is a light to medium light blue with very little saturation.
Sky Blue
Sky blue is a pale blue shade similar to the color of a clear daytime sky. It is lighter and brighter than baby blue. The web colors sky blue and light sky blue are shown below for reference:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Sky Blue | #87CEEB |
| Light Sky Blue | #87CEFA |
As you can see, sky blue is a light blue with a subtle greenish tint.
Powder Blue
Powder blue describes pale blue colors that resemble the pigment made from crushed cobalt glass. It is lighter and cooler than sky blue. Some examples of powder blue shades are shown below:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Powder Blue | #B0E0E6 |
| Pale Powder Blue | #C6DEFF |
| Baby Powder Blue | #C6DEFF |
Powder blue is commonly used in product packaging and in fashion.
Alice Blue
Alice blue is a pale tint of azure that was favored by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. She wore dresses of this shade and it became associated with her name. The hex code for Alice blue is #F0F8FF. It is a light blue-gray color.
Periwinkle
Periwinkle is a pale blue with hints of purple or lavender. There are a few shades that go by this name, but the one referenced most often is shown below:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Periwinkle | #CCCCFF |
Periwinkle is considered a “floral” color and is commonly seen in spring fashion.
Light Blue
“Light blue” itself is used as a generic term for any pale blue shade. However, there is a specific web color defined as “light blue” with the hex code #ADD8E6. This is a blue with approximately 20% saturation and 75% lightness.
Conclusion
In summary, some of the most common terms used for pale, light shades of blue include:
- Baby blue
- Sky blue
- Powder blue
- Alice blue
- Periwinkle
- Light blue
While their definitions overlap, each generally refers to a blue with high lightness and low to moderate saturation. Specific hex color codes can be found for many of these shades. The context and exact hue/saturation can help determine exactly which light blue is being referred to.
