Prussian Blue
HEX: #003153 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#003153
0, 49, 83
204°, 100% ,32%
100, 40.96, 0, 67.45
About Prussian Blue
Prussian Blue (#003153) is a color with RGB(0, 49, 83) and HSL(204.58°, 100%, 32.55%). It is commonly associated with Bold, Luxury moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #532200, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #530031 and #315300. The name comes from Prussian Blue (English (derived from German)).
- HEX: #003153
- RGB: 0, 49, 83
- HSL: 204.58°, 100%, 32.55%
- Mood: Bold, Luxury
- Style: Vivid, Cool
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #532200
- Triadic colors: #530031, #315300
- The name comes from Prussian Blue (English (derived from German)).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #003153 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Prussian Blue was accidentally discovered around 1706 by the paint maker Diesbach in Berlin, Germany. He was attempting to create a red pigment using potash and cochineal, but due to a contaminated potash (which had been in contact with animal blood), he instead produced a vibrant blue. The exact circumstances are debated, but it involved iron salts and ferrocyanide. It quickly became a popular pigment due to its intensity, permanence, and affordability compared to ultramarine. It was widely used in painting, textiles, and even as a medical treatment (for heavy metal poisoning). Its chemical formula is ferric ferrocyanide, Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃.
First Recorded Use
Circa 1706-1707
Cultural Associations
Prussian Blue is famously associated with the uniforms of the Prussian army, giving it its name. It was a dominant blue pigment for over a century, influencing art from Rococo to Impressionism. Hokusai's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' is a prime example of its use in Japanese ukiyo-e prints. It also played a significant role in the development of blueprints (cyanotypes) due to its photosensitivity. In medicine, it's used as an antidote for thallium and radioactive cesium poisoning, as it binds to these ions and prevents their absorption.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #003153;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #003153;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #003153;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#003153,
#A64400
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#003153,
#A64400
);
}// SCSS variable
$prussian-blue: #003153;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$prussian-blue-r: 0;
$prussian-blue-g: 49;
$prussian-blue-b: 83;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $prussian-blue;
color: rgba($prussian-blue-r, $prussian-blue-g, $prussian-blue-b, 0.8);
}