Inspiration in the color navy blue.

Learn the history and meaning of the color navy blue, a color native to the military and the sea.

Design with navy blue

Navy Blue

#000080

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How to use the color navy blue.

Navy Blue

#000080,#FFFFFF

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Information about navy blue color.

The navy blue HEX code picker is #000080. This is the color originally tied to the Royal Navy and to the sea.

The color navy blue can be achieved in a RGB space with 0 red, 0 green, and 128 blue. Navy blue color can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 100% cyan, 100% magenta, 0% yellow, and 50% black.

Combine navy blue with other colors.

The color navy blue pairs with many other colors, some of them surprising. Its versatility is partly due to its widespread use in so many different contexts. Combine navy blue color with oranges, reds, greens, and yellows of every shade for a striking look. Combine navy blue with white and black for classic sophistication in fashion. Navy blue color also pairs spectacularly with neutrals like beige and khaki, all of which bring out the richness of navy blue.

Navy blue versus Persian indigo.

The color navy blue went through some changes. When it was used in naval uniforms in the 1700s, it was a rich blue based on a dye called Persian indigo. Over time, navy blue color darkened to an even more resolute shade.

Tap into the psychology of navy blue.

Navy blue color is suggestive of focus and wisdom. This might come from the official associations with the color. Because navy blue was first popularized by the Navy, its hue recalls tradition and responsibility. Historically, navy blue was also tied to masculinity because the Navy servicepeople were largely men.

Navy blue is a “go-to” in marketing.

The same sense of tradition, responsibility, and sophistication that draw us to the color navy blue made it a popular choice in marketing. Navy blue color carries a sense of authority, but with elegance. Navy blue represents dependability. Brands like Nivea, Ford, Samsung, and even Lowe’s have elected navy blue for their marketing.

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What is the meaning of the color navy blue?

Navy blue was the color assigned to the British Royal Navy uniforms in 1748. The color navy blue was considered the most colorfast of natural dyes, making it convenient and dependable for long-lasting military wear. Navy blue color was adopted by other navies after that, and in short time was associated with the sea.

The color navy blue is considered timeless in fashion, décor, and design. Navy blue color represents stability, trust, and convention.

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The history of navy blue color.

The color navy blue was assigned to Royal Navy officers first.

Navy blue color replaced navy white in the Royal Navy in 1748. The rich blue was found to be the most reliable and permanent dye at the time, and so the Navy chose it for longer-lasting uniforms. Navy blue was first called “marine blue,” and the use of navy blue as a color was first recorded in English in 1913.

Navy blue color evokes power and authority.

Most shades of blue evoke feelings of peace. Navy blue color is different. This deep, official-looking blue has been tied to the Navy for centuries. The color navy blue was adopted by other institutions around the world, too, making the color even more official. In 1845, the first police force ratified in the United States donned the color navy blue. Even schoolyards are filled with navy blue color uniforms.

Navy blue color became its own institution in design, fashion, and décor.

The Crayola navy blue crayon appeared in 1958. By then, navy blue had become a staple of fashion. Combined with white and black, the color evokes sophistication. In interiors, home décor has favored navy blue color as a hue that can be used independently of trends. In the 1980s, navy blue was one of the original 16 HTML colors formulated for standardized computer displays.

The color navy blue across different cultures.

Navy blue continues to be a classic color for military uniforms — sort of.

Navies around the world use navy blue uniforms, but only by name. The navy blue color used in the United States Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy today are actually black. The color navy blue was darkened over time to further prevent fading. The Canadian Forces Dress Instructions even say, “‘navy blue’ is a tone of black.”

The color navy blue is universally popular in sports.

One of the most popular colors to use for both collegiate and professional sports teams is the color navy blue. Look at the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Atlanta Braves, the Seattle Kraken, the University of Michigan, and dozens of other teams around the world to see how popular navy blue has become.

Navy blue became part of a timeless palette for interior designers.

In interior design, the color navy blue is considered timeless. This means navy blue is independent of trends. Think back to the wallpaper of the 1990s with floral shades that were so popular they were found in every household. They came, then they went. Navy blue color transcends fads and provides a base of sophisticated color that can be used with the certainty it won’t look dated later.