Psychology
Blue is the world's most-preferred color across age, gender, and culture. It lowers heart rate, conveys stability and trust, and reads as professional almost regardless of context.
Meaning
Trust, authority, and depth — which is why it anchors finance, healthcare, government, and big-tech logos. Lighter blues feel airy and aspirational; navy and midnight feel established.
Applications
Foundational for SaaS, fintech, and enterprise interfaces. Mix with warm accents to avoid the corporate-blue trap of looking like every competitor.
Conversion
HEX
516D85
RGB
81, 109, 133
HSL
208, 24%, 42%
HSB
208, 39%, 52%
CMYK
39, 18, 0, 48
LAB
45, -6, -17
LCH
45, 18, 251
OKLCH
0.52, 0.05, 245
XYZ
13, 14, 24
LUV
45, -14, -23
HWB
208, 32%, 48%
Pantone
Cool Gray 11 C
Harmonies
Shades & tints
Similar named colors
Browse every named gray on shades of gray, or all families on colors.