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Cobalt vs Royal Blue

What's the difference? Side-by-side comparison with color codes, shades, and usage guide.

Cobalt#0047AB
Royal Blue#4169E1
#0047ABBlended: #2158C6#4169E1
Quick Answer

Cobalt and Royal Blue are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Cobalt (#0047AB) and Royal Blue (#4169E1) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.

Key Differences

Aspect Cobalt Royal Blue
BrightnessDark — feels deep, rich, groundedLight — feels airy, bright, lively
SaturationMuted — more subdued, restrainedVivid — more colorful, eye-catching
WarmthCooler — leans more toward blueWarmer — leans slightly toward green
MoodSophisticated, calm, professionalPlayful, energetic, tropical
Best forCorporate branding, interiors, formal designSummer themes, jewelry, casual/fun design
CSS nameteal (built-in)turquoise (built-in)

Can you use them together?

Royal Blue text on Cobalt
Cobalt text on Royal Blue
Contrast Ratio:1.74:1Insufficient Contrast

When to use each

Use Cobalt for:
●Corporate websites and branding
●Elegant interior design
●Professional presentations
●Dark-mode friendly UI elements
●Formal event invitations
Use Royal Blue for:
●Summer and tropical themes
●Children's products and toys
●Beach and travel branding
●Jewelry and gemstone marketing
●Bright, energetic social media posts

Full Color Details

Cobalt#0047AB

Teal is a deep blue-green color named after the Eurasian teal bird. It's widely used in web design, fashion, and interior decor for its calming, sophisticated quality.

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Royal Blue#4169E1

Turquoise is a brighter, more vibrant blue-green named after the gemstone. It's lighter and more energetic than teal, evoking tropical waters, summer, and playfulness.

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FAQ

What is the difference between cobalt and royal blue?+
Cobalt and Royal Blue are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Cobalt (#0047AB) and Royal Blue (#4169E1) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.
Is cobalt darker than royal blue?+
Yes. Cobalt (#0047AB) is significantly darker than Royal Blue (#4169E1). Cobalt has a lightness of 34% in HSL, while Royal Blue has 57% lightness.
Can you use cobalt and royal blue together?+
Yes, they can work well together in a monochromatic or analogous palette since they're both blue-green colors. Their contrast ratio is 1.74:1. Use cobalt as the dominant/darker color and royal blue as the accent or highlight.
What is the hex code for cobalt?+
The hex code for Cobalt is #0047AB. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 71, 171).
What is the hex code for royal blue?+
The hex code for Royal Blue is #4169E1. In RGB, that's rgb(65, 105, 225).