THE COLOR LIBRARY / Cool
Navy color codes.
The CSS navy color code is #000080. Its RGB value is rgb(0, 0, 128) and its HSL value is hsl(240, 100%, 25.1%). Start with the exact reference, then choose a shade for the job.
A color name describes a family in everyday language. This page uses the standardized CSS keyword as its reference; your brand’s navy may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Navy in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#000080rgb(0, 0, 128)hsl(240, 100%, 25.1%)HEX and RGB encode the same sRGB reference. HSL is calculated from it and rounded to two decimals for display. These are screen color values, not a CMYK print specification.
ONE COLOR. DIFFERENT ROLES.
Explore navy tints and shades
Select a swatch to see its codes and compare text contrast.
Make the next step clear.
A label, a surface, and room to breathe.
Selected: ReferenceSelected color
Reference · #000080
rgb(0, 0, 128)hsl(240, 100%, 25.1%)The specimen picks whichever of black or white has higher contrast. It demonstrates a pair, not a complete accessible component.
Illustrative scale: tints mix the reference with white, shades with black, by the stated percentage in encoded sRGB channels. This is not a perceptually uniform scale. Black tints and white shades remain useful; mixing black with black or white with white repeats the reference.
Text contrast on navy
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #000080. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 1.31:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Fail · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 16.01:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
Large text is at least 18pt, or 14pt bold. These numeric checks apply to opaque, solid color pairs. Other criteria, states, backgrounds, and exceptions need review. Read W3C’s contrast guidance.
Navy on black has low contrast despite belonging to a different hue family. Dark themes need lighter foreground roles instead of simply reusing light-theme navy text.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use navy in product design
Give it one clear role
Navy is a dark blue suitable for a strong heading, navigation surface, or restrained action treatment. It can sit near black visually, so compare hierarchy at the real text size.
A UI example to try
A navy sidebar can hold pale labels and a clearly marked current section. Test the active item, dividers, icons, and keyboard focus against the sidebar background individually.
Work through a real screen
Use navy on a navigation region beside the main content surface. Check ordinary labels, selected items, icons, and focus treatment together. A very dark surface can make a bright accent feel stronger than it does on a light page, so review the entire navigation state instead of approving the background alone.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare navy with black for a dark neutral treatment and blue for more visible chromatic emphasis. Keep a separate semantic role for navigation surfaces so changing the brand blue does not unexpectedly recolor the whole application shell.
- Choose the role. Decide whether navy is a surface, foreground, accent, or status. Name the semantic token after that purpose.
- Test the actual pair. Compare its foreground and background at the intended size. Test hover, selected, focus, and supported themes independently.
- Document the decision. Keep the approved code, usage rule, and contrasting companion together. Preserve labels and non-color cues when communicating a state.
Copy a navy CSS palette
These numeric names are illustrative palette tokens, not a standard scale. Connect approved values to semantic tokens such as --surface-highlight or --text-primary after testing their pairs.
:root {
--navy-100: #CCCCE6;
--navy-300: #6666B3;
--navy-500: #000080;
--navy-700: #000060;
--navy-900: #000040;
}Common questions about navy
What is the HEX code for navy?
The CSS named color navy is #000080. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is navy accessible?
A color by itself cannot pass or fail accessibility. The foreground/background pair, content size, interaction state, and meaning all matter. Use the table above for the selected solid-color pair, then review the complete interface.