Cadet
HEX: #536872 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#536872
83, 104, 114
199°, 27% ,44%
27.19, 8.77, 0, 55.29
About Cadet
Cadet (#536872) is a color with RGB(83, 104, 114) and HSL(199.35°, 27.19%, 44.71%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Border, Print. Its complementary color is #725D53, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #725368 and #687253. The name comes from cadet (French).
- HEX: #536872
- RGB: 83, 104, 114
- HSL: 199.35°, 27.19%, 44.71%
- Mood: Calm
- Style: Muted, Cool
- Use case: Text, Border, Print
- Complementary color: #725D53
- Triadic colors: #725368, #687253
- The name comes from cadet (French).
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 #536872 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word "cadet" entered English from French in the early 17th century. In French, 'cadet' originally referred to the younger son of a noble family, particularly one who would typically pursue a military career as they would not inherit the family estate. This sense of 'junior' or 'younger' is key to its evolution. Over time, it specifically came to mean a student in a military or naval academy, or a trainee in a police force, reflecting the idea of someone in a junior, training position within a structured organization, often with a military or paramilitary connection. The term also has roots in Gascon 'capdet' meaning 'little chief' or 'head', which further emphasizes the idea of a junior leader or someone in a position of training for leadership.
First Recorded Use
1610s (English)
Cultural Associations
The term 'cadet' is widely recognized globally, particularly in countries with strong military traditions or those influenced by European military structures. It evokes images of discipline, training, and a path towards leadership within uniformed services. Military academies often have a distinct 'cadet culture' that emphasizes camaraderie, rigorous training, and adherence to a strict code of conduct. The concept of a 'cadet branch' in heraldry or genealogy refers to a junior line of a family, often descended from a younger son, maintaining the original sense of the word.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #536872;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #536872;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #536872;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#536872,
#916753
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#536872,
#916753
);
}// SCSS variable
$cadet: #536872;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$cadet-r: 83;
$cadet-g: 104;
$cadet-b: 114;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $cadet;
color: rgba($cadet-r, $cadet-g, $cadet-b, 0.8);
}