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Cobalt Blue vs Gunmetal: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cobalt Blue is lighter and Cobalt Blue is more saturated. Cobalt Blue (#0047AB) has an HSL of 215°, 100%, 34%, whereas Gunmetal (#2A3439) sits at 200°, 15%, 19%.

Cobalt Blue#0047AB
Gunmetal#2A3439
#0047ABBlended: #153E72#2A3439
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Cobalt Blue vs Gunmetal: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Cobalt Blue Gunmetal
BrightnessDark (L=34%) — rich, serious, substantialVery dark (L=19%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingMuted (S=15%) — subdued, sophisticated
Hue familyBlueBlue
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#0047AB#2A3439
RGB0, 71, 17142, 52, 57

Can you use Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal together?

Gunmetal text on Cobalt Blue
Cobalt Blue text on Gunmetal
Contrast Ratio:1.51:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Cobalt Blue is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Cobalt Blue looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 15° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Cobalt Blue or Gunmetal: Which to Use and Where

Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

◆Branding & logos
PickCobalt Blue

Cobalt Blue is more saturated (100% HSL vs 15%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Gunmetal can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickGunmetal

Gunmetal hits a 12.74:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Cobalt Blue only reaches 8.44:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickCobalt Blue

Cobalt Blue is a cool-leaning tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Gunmetal leans cooler and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

▣Interior design & walls
PickGunmetal

Gunmetal is the more muted of the two (15% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Cobalt Blue's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Cobalt Blue vs Gunmetal in Design

Use Cobalt Blue for:
●Tech and corporate trust
●Finance and banking brands
●Links and primary buttons
●Medical and professional UI
●Calm dependable visuals
Use Gunmetal for:
●Tech and corporate trust
●Finance and banking brands
●Links and primary buttons
●Medical and professional UI
●Calm dependable visuals

Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Cobalt Blue#0047AB

Cobalt Blue (#0047AB) is a dark, vivid blue with a cool undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Gunmetal#2A3439

Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a very dark, muted blue with a cool undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and subdued, sophisticated.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal 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
Cobalt Blue text on white
8.44:1AAA
Sample text preview
Cobalt Blue text on black
2.49:1Fail
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on white
12.74:1AAA
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on black
1.65:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cobalt Blue text on Gunmetal
1.51:1Fail
Sample text preview
Gunmetal text on Cobalt Blue
1.51:1Fail

Explore Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal individually

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

Cobalt Blue color page#0047AB · shades, tints, pairingsGunmetal color page#2A3439 · shades, tints, pairings

More Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal Comparisons

NavyvsCobalt BlueGunmetalvsBlackCobalt BluevsCeruleanGunmetalvsSlateCharcoalvsCobalt BluePewtervsGunmetalCobalt BluevsSky BlueCharcoalvsGunmetalGunmetalvsCharcoalNavy BluevsCobalt BlueGunmetalvsCeruleanBaby BluevsCobalt Blue

Cobalt Blue vs Gunmetal FAQ

What is the difference between cobalt blue and gunmetal?+
The main difference between Cobalt Blue and Gunmetal is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cobalt Blue is lighter and Cobalt Blue is more saturated. Cobalt Blue (#0047AB) has an HSL of 215°, 100%, 34%, whereas Gunmetal (#2A3439) sits at 200°, 15%, 19%.
Is cobalt blue darker than gunmetal?+
No. Gunmetal is the darker of the two at 19% lightness, while Cobalt Blue sits higher at 34%.
Are cobalt blue and gunmetal the same color?+
No. Cobalt Blue is #0047AB and Gunmetal is #2A3439. They differ by 15° in hue, 15% in lightness, and 85% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, cobalt blue or gunmetal?+
Cobalt Blue is more saturated. In HSL, Cobalt Blue has 100% saturation and Gunmetal has 15% — Cobalt Blue is the more vivid of the two, while Gunmetal reads as more muted.
Is cobalt blue warm or cool?+
Cobalt Blue (#0047AB) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 215° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Is gunmetal warm or cool?+
Gunmetal (#2A3439) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 200° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use cobalt blue and gunmetal together?+
Yes. Both cobalt blue and gunmetal are blue shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use gunmetal as the dominant color and cobalt blue as the accent or highlight.
What color family does cobalt blue belong to?+
Cobalt Blue belongs to the blue family. Its HSL is 215°, 100%, 34% — a cool tone within the broader blue group.
What is the hex code for cobalt blue?+
The hex code for Cobalt Blue is #0047AB. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 71, 171), and in HSL it's hsl(215, 100%, 34%).
What is the hex code for gunmetal?+
The hex code for Gunmetal is #2A3439. In RGB, that's rgb(42, 52, 57), and in HSL it's hsl(200, 15%, 19%).