Dark Blue vs Navy

What is the difference between Dark Blue and Navy?

Examining Dark Blue (#00008B) relative to Navy (#000080) showcases key differences in design application. There is minimal difference in saturation, indicating both hues carry a comparable level of purity. They share almost the same luminance, meaning their brightness level is equivalent. Sitting near each other on the spectrum (0° apart), they offer a smooth visual flow.

Design recommendations for Dark Blue vs Navy

From a design standpoint, these colors serve different layout roles. The darker Navy is excellent for text elements, borders, and structural divs to anchor the page, whereas the more luminous Dark Blue works best for highlights, background sections, or notification badges. Ensure contrast checks are verified for text readability.

Readability & Contrast Testing

Visual test showing black and white text overlay readability on both colors.

Dark Blue Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid Dark Blue background canvas.

White Text: 15.30:1 Black Text: 1.37:1

Navy Typography

Preview of dark and light text elements rendered over a solid Navy background canvas.

White Text: 16.01:1 Black Text: 1.31:1

Technical Specifications Comparison

Format / Value Dark Blue Navy Delta / Difference
HEX Code #00008B #000080 -
RGB Channels rgb(0, 0, 139) rgb(0, 0, 128) R:0 | G:0 | B:-11
HSL Values hsl(240°, 100%, 27%) hsl(240°, 100%, 25%) H:0° | S:0% | L:-2%
CMYK (Print) cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 45%) cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 50%) -

Individual Color References

Dark Blue Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes
Navy Reference Sheet HEX, RGB, HSL and print codes
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