Columbia Blue

HEX: #9BDDFF | Modern Palette

On White
1.48:1
FAIL
On Black
14.18:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#9BDDFF
RGB
155, 221, 255
HSL
200°, 39% ,100%
CMYK
39.22, 13.33, 0, 0

About Columbia Blue

Columbia Blue (#9BDDFF) is a color with RGB(155, 221, 255) and HSL(200.4°, 39.22%, 100%). In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Print. Its complementary color is #FFBD9B, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #FF9BDD and #DDFF9B. The name comes from Columbia Blue (English).

  • HEX: #9BDDFF
  • RGB: 155, 221, 255
  • HSL: 200.4°, 39.22%, 100%
  • Style: Cool
  • Use case: Text, Background, Print
  • Complementary color: #FFBD9B
  • Triadic colors: #FF9BDD, #DDFF9B
  • The name comes from Columbia Blue (English).

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 #9BDDFF from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Style
Cool
Use case
Text Background Print

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #CDCDFF
Protanopia #D7D7FF
Tritanopia #93E2E2
Achromatopsia #D4D4D4

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia Blue (#9BDDFF) is a color with RGB(155, 221, 255) and HSL(200.4°, 39.22%, 100%).

#9BDDFF pairs strongly with #FFBD9B as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#9BDDFF is suitable for Text, Background, Print and works well with Cool styles.

The name Columbia Blue is linked to Columbia Blue from English, meaning A specific shade of light blue associated with Columbia University..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Columbia Blue
Meaning A specific shade of light blue associated with Columbia University.
Language English
First Recorded Use Late 19th Century

History

Columbia University, founded in 1754 as King's College, adopted light blue as its official color. While the exact shade may have varied slightly over time, the 'Columbia Blue' we recognize today (often specified as #9bddff or similar light blue) became firmly established as the university's representative hue. It is prominently featured in their athletic uniforms, academic regalia, and branding. The color is a significant part of the university's identity and tradition.

First Recorded Use

The exact first documented use of 'Columbia Blue' as a specific color name is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but its association with Columbia University and its athletic teams solidified in the late 19th century, particularly after the university officially adopted light blue as its color.

Cultural Associations

Columbia Blue is primarily recognized in academic and collegiate contexts, specifically within the United States. It is a strong symbol for Columbia University and its alumni, representing academic excellence, tradition, and athletic spirit. It is less commonly recognized as a standalone color name outside of this specific institutional context, unlike more generic color names like 'sky blue' or 'light blue'.

Similar Named Colors
Pale Cyan #87D3F8 ΔE 2.93
Baby Blue #89CFF0 ΔE 3.59
Cornflower #9ACEEB ΔE 3.87
Fresh Air #A6E7FF ΔE 3.91

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #9BDDFF;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #9BDDFF;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #9BDDFF;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #9BDDFF,
        #FFFFFF
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #9BDDFF,
        #FFFFFF
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$columbia-blue: #9BDDFF;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$columbia-blue-r: 155;
$columbia-blue-g: 221;
$columbia-blue-b: 255;

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