Home /Compare /Steel Blue vs Cornflower

Steel Blue vs Cornflower: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Steel Blue and Cornflower is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cornflower is lighter and Cornflower is more saturated. Steel Blue (#4682B4) has an HSL of 207°, 44%, 49%, whereas Cornflower (#6495ED) sits at 219°, 79%, 66%.

Steel Blue#4682B4
Cornflower#6495ED
#4682B4Blended: #558CD1#6495ED

Steel Blue vs Cornflower: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Steel Blue Cornflower
BrightnessMedium (L=49%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=66%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationModerately saturated (S=44%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=79%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyBlueBlue
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#4682B4#6495ED
RGB70, 130, 180100, 149, 237

Can you use Steel Blue and Cornflower together?

Cornflower text on Steel Blue
Steel Blue text on Cornflower
Contrast Ratio:1.38:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Steel Blue and Cornflower Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Cornflower is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Cornflower looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 12° 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 Steel Blue vs Cornflower in Design

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

Steel Blue and Cornflower Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Steel Blue#4682B4

Steel Blue (#4682B4) is a medium, moderately saturated blue with a cool undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Cornflower#6495ED

Cornflower (#6495ED) is a light, vivid blue with a cool undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Steel Blue and Cornflower 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
Steel Blue text on white
4.11:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Steel Blue text on black
5.11:1AA
Sample text preview
Cornflower text on white
2.97:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cornflower text on black
7.06:1AAA
Sample text preview
Steel Blue text on Cornflower
1.38:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cornflower text on Steel Blue
1.38:1Fail

Explore Steel Blue and Cornflower individually

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

Cornflower color page#6495ED · shades, tints, pairings

More Steel Blue and Cornflower Comparisons

Steel Blue vs Cornflower FAQ

What is the difference between steel blue and cornflower?+
The main difference between Steel Blue and Cornflower is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Cornflower is lighter and Cornflower is more saturated. Steel Blue (#4682B4) has an HSL of 207°, 44%, 49%, whereas Cornflower (#6495ED) sits at 219°, 79%, 66%.
Is steel blue darker than cornflower?+
Yes. Steel Blue is darker, with a lightness of 49% in HSL compared to Cornflower at 66% — a 17-point gap.
Are steel blue and cornflower the same color?+
No. Steel Blue is #4682B4 and Cornflower is #6495ED. They differ by 12° in hue, 17% in lightness, and 35% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, steel blue or cornflower?+
Cornflower is more saturated. In HSL, Steel Blue has 44% saturation and Cornflower has 79% — Cornflower is the more vivid of the two, while Steel Blue reads as more muted.
Is steel blue warm or cool?+
Steel Blue (#4682B4) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 207° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Is cornflower warm or cool?+
Cornflower (#6495ED) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 219° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use steel blue and cornflower together?+
Yes. Both steel blue and cornflower are blue shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use steel blue as the dominant color and cornflower as the accent or highlight.
What color family does steel blue belong to?+
Steel Blue belongs to the blue family. Its HSL is 207°, 44%, 49% — a cool tone within the broader blue group.
What is the hex code for steel blue?+
The hex code for Steel Blue is #4682B4. In RGB, that's rgb(70, 130, 180), and in HSL it's hsl(207, 44%, 49%).
What is the hex code for cornflower?+
The hex code for Cornflower is #6495ED. In RGB, that's rgb(100, 149, 237), and in HSL it's hsl(219, 79%, 66%).