Blue Black

A deep black concealing a cyan-blue undertone, the profound depth of the night sky's deepest part

Black & White Serene Chinese Tradition

HEX#1A2529

RGBrgb(26, 37, 41)

HSLhsl(196, 22%, 13%)

HSVhsv(196, 37%, 16%)

CMYKcmyk(37%, 10%, 0%, 84%)

HEXA#1A2529FF

RGBArgba(26, 37, 41, 1)

HSLAhsla(196, 22%, 13%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(51.4%, 0.022, 219)

LCHlch(43.8%, 12.2, 222)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

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Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#95B1BBRatio 6.9:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#7C87ABRatio 4.4:1AA Large

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#72639CRatio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#6D4662Ratio 2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

Online Color Picker → Gradient Generator →

Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, proportional lightness scaling 30%→100%

#080B0C

#0A0E10

#0E1416

#101619

#141C1F

#161F22

#1A2528

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, proportional saturation scaling 40%→100%

#1E2324

#1E2325

#1D2325

#1C2326

#1B2427

#1B2428

#1A2528

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation proportional scaling

#090B0B

#0C0D0E

#101314

#121617

#151C1E

#171F21

#1A2528

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#1A2828

#1A2728

#1A2628

#1A2528

#1A2328

#1A2228

#1A2128

💡 Use Cases

👘

Indigo Dye Craft

The ultimate color of traditional hand-dyed indigo garments, a depth of blue-black achieved only after dozens of dye dips.

🖋️

Calligraphy Ink

Reference color for premium calligraphy ink sticks, pursuing the layered ink charm capable of rendering both distant mountains and nearby waters.

🚗

Automotive Paint

Metallic paint scheme for luxury sedans, a black that shimmers with a captivating blue under sunlight.

⌚

Watch Dials

Dial color for high-end watches, using blue-black to set off the delicate luster of metal hands.

📜 Origin & History

Blue-black has a long history of application in traditional Chinese color palettes. Ancient dyers used indigo to repeatedly dip-dye fabrics; layers upon layers of blue dye, when built up to the extreme, produced a deep black with a bluish sheen, known as blue-black.

In Chinese calligraphy and painting traditions, blue-black ink was highly esteemed. Song Dynasty painter Mi Fu stated that 'ink has five colors,' and blue-black was considered the most layered ink color, capable of rendering distant mountains and nearby waters.

Japanese indigo dyeing (aizome) inherited Chinese traditions. Tokushima Prefecture's Awa indigo dyeing reached its peak during the Edo period. The blue-black color of fabric dyed dozens of times was the favorite color of the samurai class.

Blue-black also has its place in the West. After the discovery of Prussian blue in the 18th century, painters mixed Prussian blue with carbon black to create a deeper blue-black pigment for the dark areas of oil paintings.

In contemporary car and electronic product design, blue-black is increasingly popular as an alternative to pure black. The subtle blue tone visible under light gives the product surface a richer visual dimension.

🧠 Color Psychology

Deep IntroversionUnlike the starkness of pure black, the hidden blue tone gives the color a sense of depth and layers to be explored.

Serene Far-sightednessThe color image of the deepest part of the night sky is suitable for mental spaces requiring quiet contemplation and meditation.

Oriental CharmAn inheritor of the indigo dyeing craft, carrying the warmth of traditional handcraft and an Eastern aesthetic of subtlety.

Calm WisdomThe unfathomable tone symbolizes the introversion of a wise person—not easily revealing their edge but able to perceive subtleties.

Mysterious EleganceThe subtle blue tone shift visible in light offers a pleasant surprise, revealing refined taste within a low-key demeanor.

Cool RestraintThe coolness of the blue base adds an element of rational restraint and calm judgment to the black.

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