Home /Compare /Cadet Blue vs Cerulean

Cadet Blue vs Cerulean: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Cadet Blue and Cerulean is brightness and saturation: both are cyan shades, but Cadet Blue is lighter and Cerulean is more saturated. Cadet Blue (#5F9EA0) has an HSL of 182°, 25%, 50%, whereas Cerulean (#007BA7) sits at 196°, 100%, 33%.

Cadet Blue#5F9EA0
Cerulean#007BA7
#5F9EA0Blended: #308DA4#007BA7

Cadet Blue vs Cerulean: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Cadet Blue Cerulean
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileDark (L=33%) — rich, serious, substantial
SaturationMuted (S=25%) — subdued, sophisticatedVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyCyanCyan
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#5F9EA0#007BA7
RGB95, 158, 1600, 123, 167

Can you use Cadet Blue and Cerulean together?

Cerulean text on Cadet Blue
Cadet Blue text on Cerulean
Contrast Ratio:1.57:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Cadet Blue and Cerulean Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Cadet Blue is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Cerulean looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 14° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Cadet Blue vs Cerulean in Design

Use Cadet Blue for:
Cool, techy, digital branding
Water, ice, cleaning products
Fresh modern UI accents
Summer and tropical themes
Youthful playful design
Use Cerulean for:
Cool, techy, digital branding
Water, ice, cleaning products
Fresh modern UI accents
Summer and tropical themes
Youthful playful design

Cadet Blue and Cerulean Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Cadet Blue#5F9EA0

Cadet Blue (#5F9EA0) is a medium, muted cyan with a cool undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and subdued, sophisticated.

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PANTONE
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Cerulean#007BA7

Cerulean (#007BA7) is a dark, vivid cyan with a cool undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

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RGB
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HSV
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PANTONE
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Cadet Blue and Cerulean WCAG Contrast Ratios

Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.

Sample text preview
Cadet Blue text on white
3.05:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Cadet Blue text on black
6.88:1AA
Sample text preview
Cerulean text on white
4.78:1AA
Sample text preview
Cerulean text on black
4.39:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Cadet Blue text on Cerulean
1.57:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cerulean text on Cadet Blue
1.57:1Fail

Explore Cadet Blue and Cerulean individually

Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.

Cerulean color page#007BA7 · shades, tints, pairings

More Cadet Blue and Cerulean Comparisons

Cadet Blue vs Cerulean FAQ

What is the difference between cadet blue and cerulean?+
The main difference between Cadet Blue and Cerulean is brightness and saturation: both are cyan shades, but Cadet Blue is lighter and Cerulean is more saturated. Cadet Blue (#5F9EA0) has an HSL of 182°, 25%, 50%, whereas Cerulean (#007BA7) sits at 196°, 100%, 33%.
Is cadet blue darker than cerulean?+
No. Cerulean is the darker of the two at 33% lightness, while Cadet Blue sits higher at 50%.
Are cadet blue and cerulean the same color?+
No. Cadet Blue is #5F9EA0 and Cerulean is #007BA7. They differ by 14° in hue, 17% in lightness, and 75% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, cadet blue or cerulean?+
Cerulean is more saturated. In HSL, Cadet Blue has 25% saturation and Cerulean has 100% — Cerulean is the more vivid of the two, while Cadet Blue reads as more muted.
Is cadet blue warm or cool?+
Cadet Blue (#5F9EA0) is a cool cyan. Its hue sits at 182° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Is cerulean warm or cool?+
Cerulean (#007BA7) is a cool cyan. Its hue sits at 196° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use cadet blue and cerulean together?+
Yes. Both cadet blue and cerulean are cyan shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use cerulean as the dominant color and cadet blue as the accent or highlight.
What color family does cadet blue belong to?+
Cadet Blue belongs to the cyan family. Its HSL is 182°, 25%, 50% — a cool tone within the broader cyan group.
What is the hex code for cadet blue?+
The hex code for Cadet Blue is #5F9EA0. In RGB, that's rgb(95, 158, 160), and in HSL it's hsl(182, 25%, 50%).
What is the hex code for cerulean?+
The hex code for Cerulean is #007BA7. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 123, 167), and in HSL it's hsl(196, 100%, 33%).