Ball Blue

HEX: #21ABCD | Modern Palette

On White
2.70:1
FAIL
On Black
7.77:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#21ABCD
RGB
33, 171, 205
HSL
191°, 83% ,80%
CMYK
83.9, 16.59, 0, 19.61

About Ball Blue

Ball Blue (#21ABCD) is a color with RGB(33, 171, 205) and HSL(191.86°, 83.9%, 80.39%). It is commonly associated with Playful moods. In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Background. Its complementary color is #CD4321, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #CD21AB and #ABCD21. The name comes from Ball Blue (English).

  • HEX: #21ABCD
  • RGB: 33, 171, 205
  • HSL: 191.86°, 83.9%, 80.39%
  • Mood: Playful
  • Style: Cool
  • Use case: Text, Button, Background
  • Complementary color: #CD4321
  • Triadic colors: #CD21AB, #ABCD21
  • The name comes from Ball 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 #21ABCD from deepest shade to lightest tint.

Color Characteristics

Mood
Playful
Style
Cool
Use case
Text Button Background

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #9393CE
Protanopia #A3A3CD
Tritanopia #00B0B0
Achromatopsia #9D9D9D

Frequently Asked Questions

Ball Blue (#21ABCD) is a color with RGB(33, 171, 205) and HSL(191.86°, 83.9%, 80.39%).

#21ABCD pairs strongly with #CD4321 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#21ABCD is suitable for Text, Button, Background and works well with Cool styles.

#21ABCD is commonly associated with Playful.

The name Ball Blue is linked to Ball Blue from English, meaning A specific shade of blue, reminiscent of the color of Ball brand canning jars..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word Ball Blue
Meaning A specific shade of blue, reminiscent of the color of Ball brand canning jars.
Language English
First Recorded Use Early 20th Century

History

Ball Corporation, founded in 1880, became famous for its glass canning jars. While they produced clear jars, a distinctive aqua or light blue-green tint became iconic. This color was often due to impurities in the sand used to make the glass, particularly iron, which would impart a blue-green hue when combined with other elements and the manufacturing process. Over time, this specific shade became so associated with the brand that 'Ball Blue' became a common descriptor for similar colors, especially in crafts, painting, and home decor. Later, Ball Corporation also intentionally produced jars in this color due to its popularity.

First Recorded Use

The term 'Ball Blue' likely emerged shortly after the widespread popularity of Ball canning jars, which became prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The specific blue tint of these jars became a recognizable characteristic.

Cultural Associations

Ball Blue evokes a sense of nostalgia, Americana, and domesticity, particularly in the context of home canning, preserving, and vintage aesthetics. It is often associated with farmhouse decor, rustic styles, and DIY culture. The color is seen as comforting, classic, and authentic. It's a popular color in vintage-inspired products, craft supplies, and interior design themes aiming for a 'shabby chic' or country feel.

Similar Named Colors
Pacific Blue #1CA9C9 ΔE 0.93
Bright Cerulean #1DACD6 ΔE 2.40
Cyan (process) #00B7EB ΔE 5.71
Blue Green #0D98BA ΔE 5.90

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #21ABCD;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #21ABCD;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #21ABCD;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #21ABCD,
        #F7B4A3
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #21ABCD,
        #F7B4A3
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$ball-blue: #21ABCD;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$ball-blue-r: 33;
$ball-blue-g: 171;
$ball-blue-b: 205;

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