Sky Blue Color (#87CEEB)
Sky Blue is a CSS named color defined as hex code #87CEEB. Sky Blue is a light, airy blue with a slight lean toward cyan, like a clear daytime sky.
Color Overview & Formats
skyblueLuminance: 0.5529| Format | Syntax / Values | Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEX | #87CEEB | 6-digit hex web code | |
| RGB | rgb(135, 206, 235) | Red, Green, Blue channels (0-255) | |
| HSL | hsl(197, 71%, 73%) | Hue (197°), Saturation (71%), Lightness (73%) | |
| HSV / HSB | hsv(197, 43%, 92%) | Hue, Saturation (43%), Value/Brightness (92%) | |
| CMYK | cmyk(43%, 12%, 0%, 8%) | Digital mathematical approximation (non-print) | |
| OKLCH | oklch(0.815 0.082 225.8) | Perceptually uniform color space (CSS Color 4 approximation) |
background-color: #87CEEB; /* or skyblue */- Select color format: Choose the desired format (HEX #87CEEB, RGB, or HSL).
- Copy the code: Click the copy button or press Tab+Enter to store in clipboard.
- Pair with black text: Black text on Sky Blue reaches 12.06:1 (WCAG AAA).
What Colors Go With Sky Blue?
These 6 colors all go well with Sky Blue (#87CEEB), and each one is a standard CSS named color. The ratio is the WCAG 2.2 contrast of that color on Sky Blue: at 4.5:1 or above it works for text; below that, use it for backgrounds and accents.
Harmonious Palettes & Tints
The palettes below are algorithmically generated across standard intervals based on Sky Blue (HSL 197°). Each group offers full palette copy and live preview:
Complementary Harmony
Hue rotated 180 degrees on the HSL wheel (197° to 17°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Analogous Harmony
Hues 30 degrees either side (167° and 227°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Triadic Harmony
Hues spaced evenly by 120 degrees (317° and 77°), keeping the original saturation and lightness.
Tints & Shades
Mixed with white (tints) and black (shades) in sRGB at 60% and 30%.
WCAG 2.2 Text Readability & Contrast Check
Under WCAG 2.2 criteria, regular body text requires at least 4.5:1 (AA) and large text requires at least 3.0:1. The table below displays calculated contrast ratios:
| Foreground Color | Contrast Ratio | Normal Text (AA) | Large Text (AA) | Normal Text AAA (>= 7.0:1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pure Black (#000000) | 12.06:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Pure White (#FFFFFF) | 1.74:1 | Fail | Fail | Fail |
Dark Charcoal (#212529) | 8.86:1 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Mid Gray (#666666) | 3.30:1 | Fail | Pass | Fail |
Interactive Contrast Tester
Enter text foreground and background colors to verify WCAG legibility:
This is sample body text rendered directly to verify contrast and readability.
Sky Blue Background Download
Download standard 1920x1080 solid desktop wallpaper or generate mobile wallpaper:
Standard Wallpaper: 1920x1080 PNG (#87CEEB)Download Options
All wallpaper files precisely match the W3C standard color value:
CSS Standard & Usage Notes
skyblue = #87ceeb (rgb(135, 206, 235))
UI Design & Accessibility Guidelines
Use it for backgrounds, info banners, icons and calm, open brand palettes. On Sky Blue, black text passes WCAG AAA at every size (12.06:1); white text fails even for large text (1.74:1).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use black text on Sky Blue?
Yes. Black text on Sky Blue has a WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio of 12.06:1, passing both AA (4.5:1) and AAA (7:1) at every text size.
Can I use white text on Sky Blue?
No. White text on Sky Blue has a WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio of only 1.74:1, below the 3:1 minimum even for large text.
What colors go with Sky Blue?
Navy, Midnight Blue, Dark Slate Gray, White, Wheat and Coral all go well with Sky Blue. Navy (9.19:1), Midnight Blue (8.53:1) and Dark Slate Gray (5.13:1) have enough contrast for text on Sky Blue; White, Wheat and Coral work better as a background or accent.
What is the difference between sky blue and light blue?
Sky Blue (#87CEEB) is more saturated (71% against 53%) and slightly darker than Light Blue (#ADD8E6), so it looks more vivid.