Home /Compare /Steel Blue vs Royal Blue

Steel Blue vs Royal Blue: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Steel Blue and Royal Blue is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Royal Blue is lighter and Royal Blue is more saturated. Steel Blue (#4682B4) has an HSL of 207°, 44%, 49%, whereas Royal Blue (#4169E1) sits at 225°, 73%, 57%.

Steel Blue#4682B4
Royal Blue#4169E1
#4682B4Blended: #4476CB#4169E1

Steel Blue vs Royal Blue: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Steel Blue Royal Blue
BrightnessMedium (L=49%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=57%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationModerately saturated (S=44%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=73%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyBlueBlue
TemperatureCoolCool
Hex code#4682B4#4169E1
RGB70, 130, 18065, 105, 225

Can you use Steel Blue and Royal Blue together?

Royal Blue text on Steel Blue
Steel Blue text on Royal Blue
Contrast Ratio:1.18:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Steel Blue and Royal Blue Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Royal Blue is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Royal Blue looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 18° 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 Royal Blue 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 Royal Blue for:
Tech and corporate trust
Finance and banking brands
Links and primary buttons
Medical and professional UI
Calm dependable visuals

Steel Blue and Royal Blue 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
Royal Blue#4169E1

Royal Blue (#4169E1) is a medium, vivid blue with a cool undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Steel Blue and Royal 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
Steel Blue text on white
4.11:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Steel Blue text on black
5.11:1AA
Sample text preview
Royal Blue text on white
4.85:1AA
Sample text preview
Royal Blue text on black
4.33:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Steel Blue text on Royal Blue
1.18:1Fail
Sample text preview
Royal Blue text on Steel Blue
1.18:1Fail

Explore Steel Blue and Royal Blue individually

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

Royal Blue color page#4169E1 · shades, tints, pairings

More Steel Blue and Royal Blue Comparisons

Steel Blue vs Royal Blue FAQ

What is the difference between steel blue and royal blue?+
The main difference between Steel Blue and Royal Blue is brightness and saturation: both are blue shades, but Royal Blue is lighter and Royal Blue is more saturated. Steel Blue (#4682B4) has an HSL of 207°, 44%, 49%, whereas Royal Blue (#4169E1) sits at 225°, 73%, 57%.
Is steel blue darker than royal blue?+
Yes. Steel Blue is darker, with a lightness of 49% in HSL compared to Royal Blue at 57% — a 8-point gap.
Are steel blue and royal blue the same color?+
No. Steel Blue is #4682B4 and Royal Blue is #4169E1. They differ by 18° in hue, 8% in lightness, and 29% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, steel blue or royal blue?+
Royal Blue is more saturated. In HSL, Steel Blue has 44% saturation and Royal Blue has 73% — Royal Blue 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 royal blue warm or cool?+
Royal Blue (#4169E1) is a cool blue. Its hue sits at 225° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool range.
Can you use steel blue and royal blue together?+
Yes. Both steel blue and royal blue are blue shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use steel blue as the dominant color and royal blue 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 royal blue?+
The hex code for Royal Blue is #4169E1. In RGB, that's rgb(65, 105, 225), and in HSL it's hsl(225, 73%, 57%).