Cerulean Frost

HEX: #6D9BC3 | Modern Palette

On White
2.95:1
FAIL
On Black
7.13:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#6D9BC3
RGB
109, 155, 195
HSL
207°, 44% ,76%
CMYK
44.1, 20.51, 0, 23.53

About Cerulean Frost

Cerulean Frost (#6D9BC3) is a color with RGB(109, 155, 195) and HSL(207.91°, 44.1%, 76.47%). It is commonly associated with Calm moods. In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Print. Its complementary color is #C3956D, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #C36D9B and #9BC36D. The name comes from caeruleus (Latin).

  • HEX: #6D9BC3
  • RGB: 109, 155, 195
  • HSL: 207.91°, 44.1%, 76.47%
  • Mood: Calm
  • Style: Cool
  • Use case: Text, Print
  • Complementary color: #C3956D
  • Triadic colors: #C36D9B, #9BC36D
  • The name comes from caeruleus (Latin).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.

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 #6D9BC3 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Calm
Style
Cool
Use case
Text Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9090C4
Protanopia #9797C3
Tritanopia #63A1A1
Achromatopsia #969696

Frequently Asked Questions

Cerulean Frost (#6D9BC3) is a color with RGB(109, 155, 195) and HSL(207.91°, 44.1%, 76.47%).

#6D9BC3 pairs strongly with #C3956D as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#6D9BC3 is suitable for Text, Print and works well with Cool styles.

#6D9BC3 is commonly associated with Calm.

The name Cerulean Frost is linked to caeruleus from Latin, meaning dark blue, blue, blue-green.

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word caeruleus
Meaning dark blue, blue, blue-green
Language Latin
First Recorded Use Late Middle English

History

The word 'cerulean' derives from the Latin 'caeruleus', which itself is thought to be related to 'caelum' (sky or heaven). It entered English in the 15th century, initially referring to the color of the sky or sea. Over time, it became more specifically associated with a deep sky blue. The addition of 'Frost' in 'Cerulean Frost' is a modern descriptive embellishment, evoking the cool, pale, and slightly desaturated quality that frost imparts to colors, suggesting a lighter, perhaps icier shade of cerulean.

First Recorded Use

15th Century

Cultural Associations

Cerulean has been used in art and literature to describe vast skies, deep oceans, and serene, often ethereal scenes. It gained particular prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, notably with its selection as a Pantone Color of the Year (Cerulean Blue, 2000), which brought it into mainstream fashion and design. The 'frost' addition adds a contemporary, almost poetic layer, suggesting tranquility, cold beauty, and a touch of winter elegance. It might be associated with winter landscapes, icy formations, or a cool, sophisticated aesthetic.

Similar Named Colors
Blue Gray #6699CC ΔE 2.10
Air Superiority Blue #72A0C1 ΔE 2.57
Dark Pastel Blue #779ECB ΔE 2.79
Iceberg #71A6D2 ΔE 3.48

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #6D9BC3;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #6D9BC3;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #6D9BC3;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #6D9BC3,
        #DDC1A9
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #6D9BC3,
        #DDC1A9
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$cerulean-frost: #6D9BC3;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$cerulean-frost-r: 109;
$cerulean-frost-g: 155;
$cerulean-frost-b: 195;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $cerulean-frost;
    color: rgba($cerulean-frost-r, $cerulean-frost-g, $cerulean-frost-b, 0.8);
}