Cobalt Hex Code — #0047AB

RGB, HSL, and CMYK values for Cobalt.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

Cobalt Color Values

FormatValue
HEX#0047AB
RGBrgb(0, 71, 171)
HSLhsl(215, 100%, 34%)
CMYKcmyk(100%, 58%, 0%, 33%)
Want to explore more shades? Use our Color Converter

When to Use Cobalt in Design

Web Design

Use Cobalt for headings, links, or accent elements against light backgrounds. Dark colors like this provide strong contrast and draw the eye to important content.

Branding & Logo

Cobalt can work as a primary or accent brand color. Test it across different media (screen, print, merchandise) to ensure consistent appearance.

Print Design

Use the CMYK values (C:100% M:58% Y:0% K:33%) for accurate print reproduction in brochures, business cards, and packaging. Request a physical proof — screen colors often appear more vibrant than their printed equivalents.

UI / UX Design

Dark colors like Cobalt are effective for primary buttons, navigation bars, and text. Use a lighter tint (increase HSL lightness to 90%+) for hover backgrounds.

How to Use Cobalt in CSS

/* Using HEX */
color: #0047AB;
background-color: #0047AB;

/* Using RGB */
color: rgb(0, 71, 171);

/* Using HSL — best for creating variations */
color: hsl(215, 100%, 34%);

/* Transparent overlay (50% opacity) */
background-color: rgba(0, 71, 171, 0.5);

/* Lighter variant for hover states */
background-color: hsl(215, 100%, 44%);

/* Darker variant for active states */
background-color: hsl(215, 100%, 24%);

HSL is the most flexible format for creating color systems. By adjusting the lightness value, you can generate an entire shade scale from Cobalt without changing its core hue or saturation.

Colors That Go With Cobalt

Complementary

Analogous

Triadic

Similar Shades of Blue

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for Cobalt?
The hex color code for Cobalt is #0047AB. In CSS, apply it as text color with color: #0047AB;, as a background with background-color: #0047AB;, or as a border with border-color: #0047AB;. Hex is the most widely used color notation on the web because it is compact, supported by every browser, and easy to copy between design tools like Figma, Photoshop, and code editors.
What is Cobalt in RGB and when should I use RGB?
Cobalt in RGB is rgb(0, 71, 171), where Red=0, Green=71, and Blue=171 on a 0-255 scale. Use RGB when you need transparency — rgba(0, 71, 171, 0.5) creates a 50% transparent version. RGB is also the native format for HTML canvas, WebGL, and JavaScript image manipulation, since each channel represents the intensity of that primary light color on screen displays.
How to use Cobalt in CSS with different color formats?
Cobalt can be applied in CSS using multiple formats: (1) Hex: color: #0047AB; — most compact and widely used. (2) RGB: color: rgb(0, 71, 171); — useful when calculating colors dynamically in JavaScript. (3) HSL: color: hsl(215, 100%, 34%); — best for creating variations, since adjusting lightness produces lighter or darker shades while keeping the same hue. (4) With transparency: rgba(0, 71, 171, 0.8); or hsla(215, 100%, 34%, 0.8); for 80% opacity overlays.
What is the HSL value of Cobalt and why is HSL useful for designers?
Cobalt in HSL is hsl(215, 100%, 34%). HSL stands for Hue (215 degrees on the color wheel), Saturation (100% color intensity), and Lightness (34% brightness). HSL is the most intuitive format for designers because you can create harmonious palettes by rotating the hue, generate hover effects by increasing lightness by 10%, and desaturate colors by reducing the S value. This makes Cobalt a dark, vivid cool-toned color.
What is the CMYK value of Cobalt for print design?
Cobalt in CMYK is C:100% M:58% Y:0% K:33%. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the standard color model for professional printing — business cards, brochures, merchandise, and packaging. When designing for print in Adobe InDesign or Illustrator, use these exact CMYK values to ensure accurate color reproduction. Screen colors (RGB) often appear more vibrant than their printed CMYK equivalents, so always request a physical proof for brand-critical materials.
What colors pair well with Cobalt in design projects?
Blue is the most universally liked color and pairs with almost anything. Use light blue backgrounds with dark text for calm interfaces, or pair navy with white for a professional, trustworthy look.
Is Cobalt (#0047AB) accessible for web design and WCAG compliant?
Blue-on-white is one of the safer combinations for color-blind users, but ensure the shade is dark enough (below #1565C0) for WCAG AA text compliance at the standard 4.5:1 ratio. For Cobalt specifically: as a dark shade (lightness: 34%), it can work as a text color on light backgrounds, but verify the exact contrast ratio using a contrast checker tool. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px+ bold or 24px+ regular).

Was this page helpful?

Written by

Tamanna Tasnim

Senior Full Stack Developer

ToolsContainerDhaka, Bangladesh5+ years experiencetasnim@toolscontainer.comwww.toolscontainer.com

Full-stack developer with deep expertise in data formats, APIs, and developer tooling. Writes in-depth technical comparisons and conversion guides backed by hands-on engineering experience across modern web stacks.