Honolulu Blue

HEX: #006DB0 | Modern Palette

On White
5.51:1
PASS
On Black
3.81:1
FAIL

Color Specifications

HEX
#006DB0
RGB
0, 109, 176
HSL
202°, 100% ,69%
CMYK
100, 38.07, 0, 30.98

About Honolulu Blue

Honolulu Blue (#006DB0) is a color with RGB(0, 109, 176) and HSL(202.84°, 100%, 69.02%). It is commonly associated with Bold, Playful moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Neon styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #B04300, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #B0006D and #6DB000. The name comes from Honolulu Blue (English).

  • HEX: #006DB0
  • RGB: 0, 109, 176
  • HSL: 202.84°, 100%, 69.02%
  • Mood: Bold, Playful
  • Style: Vivid, Neon
  • Use case: Text, Button, Accent
  • Complementary color: #B04300
  • Triadic colors: #B0006D, #6DB000
  • The name comes from Honolulu 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 #006DB0 from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Bold Playful
Style
Vivid Neon
Use case
Text Button Accent

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #5D5DB1
Protanopia #6767B0
Tritanopia #007878
Achromatopsia #696969

Frequently Asked Questions

Honolulu Blue (#006DB0) is a color with RGB(0, 109, 176) and HSL(202.84°, 100%, 69.02%).

#006DB0 pairs strongly with #B04300 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#006DB0 is suitable for Text, Button, Accent and works well with Vivid, Neon styles.

#006DB0 is commonly associated with Bold, Playful.

The name Honolulu Blue is linked to Honolulu Blue from English, meaning A specific shade of blue, named after the city of Honolulu, Hawaii..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Honolulu Blue
Meaning A specific shade of blue, named after the city of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Language English
First Recorded Use Mid-20th Century

History

The Detroit Lions NFL team was established in 1929 as the Portsmouth Spartans. In 1934, the team was purchased by George A. Richards and moved to Detroit, being renamed the Detroit Lions. Richards chose the team's iconic 'Honolulu Blue and Silver' color scheme. The blue was specifically named 'Honolulu Blue' to evoke the vibrant blues of the Hawaiian waters and sky. This color has been a consistent part of the team's identity ever since, with minor variations in shade over the decades.

First Recorded Use

The term 'Honolulu Blue' gained prominence with its adoption by the Detroit Lions NFL team in 1934, though the specific shade may have existed prior. The team's owner, George A. Richards, chose the color scheme, reportedly inspired by the colors of the ocean and sky in Hawaii, where he had vacationed.

Cultural Associations

Honolulu Blue is most strongly associated with the Detroit Lions NFL team, making it a significant color in American sports culture, particularly in Michigan. It represents the team's long history and fan base. Beyond sports, the name itself evokes images of tropical beaches, clear skies, and the Pacific Ocean, aligning with the popular perception of Honolulu as a tourist destination.

Similar Named Colors
Spanish Blue #0070B8 ΔE 1.39
French Blue #0072BB ΔE 2.11
Medium Persian Blue #0067A5 ΔE 2.33
Ocean Boat Blue #0077BE ΔE 3.82

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #006DB0;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #006DB0;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #006DB0;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #006DB0,
        #FF9D61
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #006DB0,
        #FF9D61
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$honolulu-blue: #006DB0;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$honolulu-blue-r: 0;
$honolulu-blue-g: 109;
$honolulu-blue-b: 176;

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