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Cobalt vs Prussian Blue: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Cobalt and Prussian Blue is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cobalt is lighter. Cobalt and Prussian Blue are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Cobalt (#0047AB) and Prussian Blue (#003153) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Cobalt#0047AB
Prussian Blue#003153
#0047ABBlended: #003C7F#003153
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Cobalt vs Prussian Blue: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Cobalt Prussian Blue
BrightnessDark (L=34%) — rich, serious, substantialVery dark (L=16%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyBlueBlue
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#0047AB#003153
RGB0, 71, 1710, 49, 83

Can you use Cobalt and Prussian Blue together?

Prussian Blue text on Cobalt
Cobalt text on Prussian Blue
Contrast Ratio:1.59:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Cobalt and Prussian Blue Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Cobalt is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 10° 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 or Prussian Blue: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickCobalt

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

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickPrussian Blue

Prussian Blue hits a 13.43:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Cobalt only reaches 8.44:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickCobalt

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickCobalt

Cobalt is the more muted of the two (100% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Prussian Blue's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Cobalt vs Prussian Blue in Design

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

Cobalt and Prussian Blue Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Cobalt#0047AB

Cobalt (#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
Prussian Blue#003153

Prussian Blue (#003153) is a very dark, vivid blue with a cool undertone — it feels deep, heavy, grounded and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Cobalt and Prussian Blue 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 text on white
8.44:1AAA
Sample text preview
Cobalt text on black
2.49:1Fail
Sample text preview
Prussian Blue text on white
13.43:1AAA
Sample text preview
Prussian Blue text on black
1.56:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cobalt text on Prussian Blue
1.59:1Fail
Sample text preview
Prussian Blue text on Cobalt
1.59:1Fail

More Cobalt and Prussian Blue Comparisons

BluevsCobaltNavyvsPrussian BlueDenimvsCobaltPrussian BluevsNavyCeruleanvsCobaltPrussian BluevsDenimCobaltvsRoyal BlueDodger BluevsCobaltPrussian BluevsIndigoCobaltvsDodger BluePrussian BluevsMidnight BlueCobaltvsElectric Blue

Cobalt vs Prussian Blue FAQ

What is the difference between cobalt and prussian blue?+
The main difference between Cobalt and Prussian Blue is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cobalt is lighter. Cobalt and Prussian Blue are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Cobalt (#0047AB) and Prussian Blue (#003153) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is cobalt darker than prussian blue?+
No. Prussian Blue is the darker of the two at 16% lightness, while Cobalt sits higher at 34%.
Are cobalt and prussian blue the same color?+
No. Cobalt is #0047AB and Prussian Blue is #003153. They differ by 10° in hue, 18% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, cobalt or prussian blue?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Cobalt at 100% and Prussian Blue at 100% in HSL.
Is cobalt warm or cool?+
Cobalt (#0047AB) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 215° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Is prussian blue warm or cool?+
Prussian Blue (#003153) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 205° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use cobalt and prussian blue together?+
Yes. Both cobalt and prussian blue are blue shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use prussian blue as the dominant color and cobalt as the accent or highlight.
What color family does cobalt belong to?+
Cobalt 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?+
The hex code for Cobalt 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 prussian blue?+
The hex code for Prussian Blue is #003153. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 49, 83), and in HSL it's hsl(205, 100%, 16%).