#B3B9CA color
The hex color #B3B9CA is a light, grayish blue.
In the RGB color model it is made of 70.2% red, 72.5% green and 79.2% blue (179, 185, 202).
Its hue angle is 224°, with 18% saturation and 75% lightness. For print, the CMYK equivalent is 11% cyan, 8% magenta, 0% yellow and 21% black.
The closest named color is Ethereal Mist (#B0B8CC), a difference of 1.3 ΔE, which is barely visible.
Black text is the more readable choice on this background (contrast 10.71:1).
#B3B9CA color codes
| HEX | #B3B9CA | |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | rgb(179, 185, 202) | |
| RGB percent | rgb(70.2%, 72.5%, 79.2%) | |
| HSL | hsl(224, 18%, 75%) | |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(224, 11%, 79%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(11%, 8%, 0%, 21%) | |
| CIE LAB | lab(75.17, 1.29, -9.28) | |
| CIE LCH | lch(75.17, 9.37, 277.93) | |
| CIE XYZ | xyz(46.598, 48.545, 62.781) | |
| Decimal | 11778506 | |
| Short hex | None (no 3-digit form) |
Color harmonies
Colors that go with #B3B9CA, based on their position on the color wheel.
Complementary
The color opposite on the color wheel (180°). Strongest contrast.
Analogous
Neighbors 30° either side. Calm, natural combinations.
Split complementary
The two colors next to the complement (150° and 210°).
Triadic
Three colors evenly spaced, 120° apart.
Tetradic (square)
Four colors 90° apart.
Shades, tints and tones
Shades (darker, mixed with black)
Tints (lighter, mixed with white)
Tones (mixed with gray)
Contrast and accessibility
| Text on #B3B9CA | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 10.71:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Sample text | 1.96:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| #B3B9CA as text on | Ratio | AA | AAA | AA large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample text | 1.96:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
| Sample text | 10.71:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
WCAG 2 asks for 4.5:1 for normal text (AA), 7:1 for AAA, and 3:1 for large text. Check other pairs.
Color blindness simulation
How #B3B9CA looks to people with the most common types of color vision deficiency.
#b4bacbProtanopia
no red cones#b3b8caDeuteranopia
no green cones#aebcbeTritanopia
no blue cones#b9b9b9Achromatopsia
no color vision
CSS examples
.background { background-color: #b3b9ca; }
.text { color: #b3b9ca; }
.border { border: 2px solid #b3b9ca; }
.transparent { background-color: rgb(179 185 202 / 50%); }
.gradient { background: linear-gradient(to right, #b3b9ca, #b8b3ca); }
Similar colors
#b0b8ccEthereal Mist#b6bdd0Arctic Ice#b7bdd1Violet Vision#b8b9cbCosmic#aebbd0Sailor Boy#b3b2bfNebulous December#afbed4Supremely Cool#bfc1cbSlipper Satin
Closest common color name: Light Steel Blue.
Questions
- What color is #B3B9CA?
- #B3B9CA is a light, grayish blue, closest to the named color Ethereal Mist. It belongs to the gray family of colors.
- What is the RGB value of #B3B9CA?
- The RGB value is 179, 185, 202: 179 red, 185 green and 202 blue on a 0 to 255 scale.
- What is the complementary color of #B3B9CA?
- The complementary color is #CAC4B3, found by rotating the hue 180° on the color wheel.
- Is black or white text better on #B3B9CA?
- Black text. Black text has a contrast ratio of 10.71:1 and white text 1.96:1. WCAG asks for at least 4.5:1 for normal text.