Shades of Navy: Names and Hex Codes
This is a practical reference for the most useful shades of navy, with accurate hex codes, RGB values, and notes on character and use. Navy is the darkest, most desaturated band of blue — deep enough to function as a sophisticated alternative to black, yet warmer and more approachable. Small shifts toward purple, teal, or gray change it from regal to nautical to muted, so the right navy depends on the mood you want. Use the table below as a citable palette, then read on for how the shades group together.
For how navy compares with its close relatives, see navy vs royal blue and navy vs black; for the symbolism, read blue color meaning. The related deep neutrals are covered in our shades of silver reference.
Shades of navy: full table
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | #000080 | 0, 0, 128 | CSS named navy; pure deep blue. |
| Midnight Blue | #191970 | 25, 25, 112 | CSS midnight blue; slightly violet. |
| Oxford Blue | #002147 | 0, 33, 71 | Very dark academic navy. |
| Prussian Blue | #003153 | 0, 49, 83 | Deep blue-teal pigment; historic. |
| Space Cadet | #1D2951 | 29, 41, 81 | Dark desaturated blue-violet. |
| Indigo Dye | #00416A | 0, 65, 106 | Deep denim-leaning navy. |
| Indigo Navy | #202A44 | 32, 42, 68 | Muted slate-navy; soft and dark. |
| Royal Navy | #0A1172 | 10, 17, 114 | Rich saturated deep blue. |
| Navy Black | #000033 | 0, 0, 51 | Near-black inky navy. |
| Yankees Navy | #28385C | 40, 56, 92 | Muted mid-navy; classic sportswear. |
| Dark Navy | #1B1F3B | 27, 31, 59 | Deep, low-chroma night navy. |
| Outer Space | #414A4C | 65, 74, 76 | Gray-navy; cool and slatey. |
| Marine Blue | #273B5B | 39, 59, 91 | Nautical mid-navy; balanced. |
| Dark Imperial Blue | #1F305E | 31, 48, 94 | Regal deep navy; saturated. |
| Blue Pigment | #35469C | 53, 70, 156 | Brighter navy edging to royal. |
| Dark Midnight Blue | #003366 | 0, 51, 102 | Clean deep web-safe navy. |
| Cool Navy | #13274F | 19, 39, 79 | Slightly steely deep navy. |
| Sapphire Navy | #0F2C5C | 15, 44, 92 | Jewel-toned deep navy. |
| Bdazzled Blue | #2A4B7C | 42, 75, 124 | Lighter dusty navy; approachable. |
| Persian Blue | #1C39BB | 28, 57, 187 | Vivid blue at the bright edge. |
| Midnight Navy | #10142C | 16, 20, 44 | Deepest near-black blue. |
| Slate Navy | #34414E | 52, 65, 78 | Gray-blue; muted and modern. |
| Naval | #19305C | 25, 48, 92 | Versatile true uniform navy. |
| Denim Navy | #26428B | 38, 66, 139 | Brighter, denim-toned navy. |
Classic naval and uniform navies
The defining navies trace back to naval uniforms. Navy (#000080), Naval (#19305C), Marine Blue (#273B5B), and Yankees Navy (#28385C) are the balanced, recognizable blues most people picture — dark, dependable, and authoritative without being harsh. These are the safe, versatile workhorses of corporate identity, tailoring, and sportswear because they read as trustworthy and timeless. The CSS named Navy at #000080 is the purest of the group, a clean blue with no gray or violet tint, which makes it the natural baseline against which the others are judged.
Deep, near-black navies
The darkest end behaves almost like black. Midnight Navy (#10142C), Navy Black (#000033), Dark Navy (#1B1F3B), and Oxford Blue (#002147) are deep enough to anchor a layout the way black would, but they keep a softer, warmer edge that pure black lacks. This is why so many premium brands choose a deep navy over black for text, footers, and packaging — it carries the same gravity with more humanity. If you are weighing the two, the navy vs black comparison covers exactly when to substitute one for the other.
Violet and indigo-leaning navies
Push navy toward purple and you get richer, moodier blues. Midnight Blue (#191970), Space Cadet (#1D2951), Royal Navy (#0A1172), and Dark Imperial Blue (#1F305E) all carry a violet undertone that reads as regal and luxurious. These are the navies of jewelry, formalwear, and premium tech, where the hint of purple adds depth and richness. Persian Blue (#1C39BB) and Blue Pigment (#35469C) sit at the bright edge of this group, brushing up against royal blue — see navy vs royal blue for where the line falls.
Teal and slate-leaning navies
Pull navy toward green or gray and it cools off. Prussian Blue (#003153), Indigo Dye (#00416A), Slate Navy (#34414E), and Outer Space (#414A4C) carry teal or gray undertones that feel muted, vintage, or industrial. Prussian Blue is a genuine historic pigment with a faint green cast, prized by painters for its depth. The slatey, desaturated navies suit modern, understated palettes and pair well with warm neutrals, while the denim-toned blues like Denim Navy (#26428B) bring a casual, lived-in feel. When a pure navy feels too corporate, nudging it toward slate or denim softens it considerably.
Most popular shades of navy
The navies most people name and use are Navy (#000080) as the pure baseline, Midnight Blue (#191970) for a richer violet-leaning option, Oxford Blue (#002147) for a deep academic tone, Prussian Blue (#003153) for a teal-tinged historic blue, and Naval (#19305C) for a versatile uniform navy. Together they cover near-black through balanced to slightly brighter, which is why they anchor most professional, trustworthy palettes.
How to use shades of navy in design
Navy is the most professional blue, so it grounds palettes that need authority without the severity of black. Use deep near-black navies like Oxford Blue and Midnight Navy in place of black for text, headers, and footers; use mid navies like Naval and Marine Blue for primary brand color and buttons; and reserve brighter or violet navies for accents. Navy pairs beautifully with white, cream, gold, blush, and warm wood, evoking trust, heritage, and quiet luxury. The main risk is muddiness against other dark tones, so give navy room to breathe with a clean white or cream and use gold or a bright accent to create contrast and hierarchy. A reliable approach treats navy as your “black”: a near-black navy for text, a true navy for the brand color, and a light blue or neutral for backgrounds, all sharing the same undertone. Because navy signals stability and competence, it suits finance, law, and premium brands far better than a lighter blue would. For the psychology that makes navy read as trustworthy, see color psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for navy?
The CSS named color “navy” is #000080 (RGB 0, 0, 128), a pure deep blue. For a slightly violet, richer navy use Midnight Blue (#191970), and for a very dark academic navy use Oxford Blue (#002147). A teal-leaning historic option is Prussian Blue (#003153).
What is the difference between navy and royal blue?
Navy (#000080) is a very dark, desaturated blue that reads as serious and grounded, while royal blue is a brighter, more vivid blue with higher saturation that feels bold and energetic. Navy works as a near-neutral anchor; royal blue works as a vibrant statement color. The dividing line falls around the lighter, brighter navies like Persian Blue.
How many shades of navy are there?
Navy variations are effectively limitless because navy spans a band of very dark, low-saturation blues, but designers typically reference 20 to 30 named shades. This list includes 24 of the most recognized, from near-black midnight navy through balanced uniform blues to slate and denim-leaning tones.
What colors go well with navy?
Navy pairs naturally with white, cream, gold, blush pink, and warm wood for a classic, elegant palette. For high contrast, combine navy with gold, coral, or mustard. Cooler navies also work alongside gray and silver for a modern, professional scheme.
