Blue
Cerulean
Cerulean
#98B4D4Click to copy
Cerulean Parameter Conversion Table
More converters →HEX#98B4D4Copy
RGBrgb(152, 180, 212)Copy
HSLhsl(212, 41%, 71%)Copy
HSV/HSBhsv(212, 28%, 83%)Copy
CMYKcmyk(28%, 15%, 0%, 17%)Copy
Cerulean Color Schemes
Complementary
#98B4D4
Click to copy#D4B898
Click to copyAnalogous
#98D2D4
Click to copy#9A98D4
Click to copySplit Complementary
#D49A98
Click to copy#D2D498
Click to copyMonochromatic
#98B4D4
Click to copy#E3E9EF
Click to copy#FFFFFF
Click to copy#5080B6
Click to copy#2F4E71
Click to copy#111C29
Click to copyCerulean WCAG Accessibility Contrast
WCAG Calculator →The contrast ratio of this color against common foreground/background colors (based on the WCAG 2.1 standard)
Sample text Aa
White background #FFFFFF
2.14 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Black background #000000
9.81 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Light gray background #F5F5F5
1.96 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Sample text Aa
Dark gray background #333333
5.90 : 1
AA NormalAA LargeAAA NormalAAA Large
Cerulean Shade Variants
Gradient Generator →Lighten with White Mixed with white for a lighter, softer color
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Darken with Black Mixed with black for a deeper, heavier color
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Muted / Morandi Mixed with gray and desaturated for a sophisticated muted tone
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Cerulean Color Introduction
Definition
Cerulean (HEX #98B4D4) has the RGB value rgb(152, 180, 212), the HSL value hsl(212°, 41%, 71%) and the CMYK print value cmyk(28%, 15%, 0%, 17%). In terms of color schemes, the complement of Cerulean is #D4B898, and placing the two side by side produces a striking, eye-catching contrast; paired with the analogous colors #98D2D4 and #9A98D4 that sit next to it on the color wheel, it transitions naturally and harmoniously; in a split-complementary scheme (#D49A98, #D2D498) it keeps its contrast tension without losing layering; and a monochromatic scheme built on Cerulean uses gradients of lightness and saturation to create a unified design with a strong sense of depth. Under the WCAG accessibility standard, Cerulean has a contrast ratio of 2.14:1 against white and 9.81:1 against black; paired with a black background it reaches AAA, making it ideal for text and accent colors in dark mode.
Color Characteristics
Blue is the color of sky and ocean, evoking vastness, trust and reason. Steady and imposing, it is almost irreplaceable in technology, finance and corporate identity design. Specifically, Cerulean has a lightness of 71% and a saturation of 41%, bright and airy, ideal as a light background or accent color that creates a soft, comfortable atmosphere; moreover, its saturation is fairly low and its gray tone is soft, carrying a quiet, Morandi-like character. In a word: The color of the new millennium.
Color Psychology
Blue can evoke calm, focus and trust, with a marked stabilizing effect; psychologically it symbolizes reason, loyalty and depth. For this reason Cerulean tends to leave a first impression of being cool and reliable in the viewer’s mind, and this emotional tone also defines the role it plays in design.
Best Uses
Blue suits fintech, corporate websites, government systems and any scene that needs professional trust. In real projects, Cerulean is also often used as a light background or supporting negative space; in “Blue”-themed designs, the adjacent colors or lightness gradients built around it quickly establish a cohesive, clearly layered color scheme.
Cerulean Featured In
This color is included in the following color cards and color families. Click a card to browse more colors in the corresponding collection.