≈ Below Zero

#90D3ED is closest to Below Zero in our library. Below Zero (#90D3ED) is a light, muted blue with a cool feel. It has a hue angle of 197° and a lightness of 83%. Its muted saturation keeps it calm and sophisticated, easy to live with in large areas.

#90D3ED≈ Below Zero

Conversion

About this color

What Below Zero looks like, feels like and where it works.

Description

Below Zero (#90D3ED) is a light, muted blue with a cool feel. It has a hue angle of 197° and a lightness of 83%. Its muted saturation keeps it calm and sophisticated, easy to live with in large areas.

Psychology

Blue is the most widely liked color and the default for trust. It lowers the sense of urgency, so it suits products that ask for confidence: money, health and software. As a light shade, Below Zero feels airy and gentle.

Meaning

Blue stands for calm, stability, loyalty and the sky and sea. It is also the color of sadness in English (feeling blue) and, in some cultures, of protection.

Why use this color

Below Zero is an easy supporting color. Dark text is easy to read on it, so it works as a surface, highlight or card background. Pair it with its tints and shades for a complete scale.

Applications

Finance, banking and insurance
Technology and software
Healthcare and corporate identity
Links and primary actions in interfaces

History

Egyptian blue, from about 2500 BC, is often called the first synthetic pigment. Ultramarine from lapis lazuli cost as much as gold; Prussian blue (about 1706) made deep blue affordable.

Accessibility

White text on Below Zero has a contrast ratio of 1.65:1 (fails); black text has 12.72:1 (AAA). WCAG AA needs 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text and interface parts. Do not rely on color alone to carry meaning: pair it with text, an icon or a pattern.