#172A4E Hex Color

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Hex color #172a4e graphic
This muted, dusty navy functions best as a stable base for corporate or professional interfaces. Because it leans heavily into desaturation, #172a4e avoids the harshness of pure ink, offering a softer alternative if you are learning how to make black. White text reads with excellent clarity against this hex code, making it a reliable choice for dark mode UI and high-contrast background elements.

Questions about #172a4e

What is #172a4e in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #172a4e is rgb(23, 42, 78), in HSL hsl(219, 54%, 20%) and in CMYK 71%, 46%, 0%, 69%.
Is #172a4e a suitable replacement for pure black in user interfaces?
Yes, #172a4e serves as an excellent alternative to black because its slight blue undertone reduces visual strain while maintaining high readability. Using this muted navy creates a softer, more sophisticated hierarchy that feels less harsh than deep, void-like blacks.
Which color combinations work best with #172a4e?
This shade pairs best with crisp whites for high-contrast text or soft, desaturated sage greens for a calming, professional palette. You can also ground it with light cream accents to add warmth without disrupting the professional, clean aesthetic.
Is #172a4e readable on white or black?
#172a4e has a 14.21:1 contrast ratio on white and 1.47:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works for body text and on black it is too faint for text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.