Home /Compare /Lime vs Navy

Lime vs Navy: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Lime and Navy is hue — Lime is a cool-leaning green, while Navy is a cool blue. Lime and Navy are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Lime (#00FF00) and Navy (#001F3F) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Lime#00FF00
Navy#001F3F
#00FF00Blended: #008F20#001F3F
ShareSave to PinterestTweet

Lime vs Navy: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Lime Navy
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileVery dark (L=12%) — deep, heavy, grounded
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyGreenBlue
TemperatureCool-leaningCool
Hex code#00FF00#001F3F
RGB0, 255, 00, 31, 63

Can you use Lime and Navy together?

Navy text on Lime
Lime text on Navy
Contrast Ratio:12.07:1WCAG AA Pass ✓

How to Tell Lime and Navy Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Lime is noticeably lighter.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 90° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Lime or Navy: Which to Use and Where

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

Branding & logos
PickLime

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

Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickNavy

Navy hits a 16.56:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Lime only reaches 1.37:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

Fashion & apparel
PickLime

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

Interior design & walls
PickLime

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

When to Use Lime vs Navy in Design

Use Lime for:
Eco, nature, wellness brands
Finance, success, growth
Go-states and confirmations
Food and garden products
Calm, grounded UI surfaces
Use Navy for:
Tech and corporate trust
Finance and banking brands
Links and primary buttons
Medical and professional UI
Calm dependable visuals

Lime and Navy Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Lime#00FF00

Lime (#00FF00) is a medium, vivid green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Navy#001F3F

Navy (#001F3F) 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

Lime and Navy 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
Lime text on white
1.37:1Fail
Sample text preview
Lime text on black
15.3:1AAA
Sample text preview
Navy text on white
16.56:1AAA
Sample text preview
Navy text on black
1.27:1Fail
Sample text preview
Lime text on Navy
12.07:1AAA
Sample text preview
Navy text on Lime
12.07:1AAA

Explore Lime and Navy individually

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

Lime color page#00FF00 · shades, tints, pairingsNavy color page#001F3F · shades, tints, pairings

More Lime and Navy Comparisons

Lime vs Navy FAQ

What is the difference between lime and navy?+
The main difference between Lime and Navy is hue — Lime is a cool-leaning green, while Navy is a cool blue. Lime and Navy are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Lime (#00FF00) and Navy (#001F3F) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is lime darker than navy?+
No. Navy is the darker of the two at 12% lightness, while Lime sits higher at 50%.
Are lime and navy the same color?+
No. Lime is #00FF00 and Navy is #001F3F. They differ by 90° in hue, 38% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, lime or navy?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Lime at 100% and Navy at 100% in HSL.
Is lime warm or cool?+
Lime (#00FF00) is a cool-leaning green. Its hue sits at 120° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Is navy warm or cool?+
Navy (#001F3F) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 210° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use lime and navy together?+
Yes. Lime (green) and Navy (blue) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does lime belong to?+
Lime belongs to the green family. Its HSL is 120°, 100%, 50% — a cool-leaning tone within the broader green group.
What is the hex code for lime?+
The hex code for Lime is #00FF00. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 255, 0), and in HSL it's hsl(120, 100%, 50%).
What is the hex code for navy?+
The hex code for Navy is #001F3F. In RGB, that's rgb(0, 31, 63), and in HSL it's hsl(210, 100%, 12%).