How to Best Use Light Blue Colors in Web and Print Designs

Light blues range from almost white to sky blue

by
Jacci Howard Bear
Writer
A graphic designer, writer, and artist who writes about and teaches print and web design.
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Jacci Howard Bear
Updated on February 14, 2020
Blue sky and sea with clouds in the distance

Kevin Kozicki / Getty Images

Blue is a favorite color of people all over the world, so it can be used in almost any design project. From the palest blues that are almost white to the light-blue sky colors and baby blues, explore the lighter side of the color blue and see how the symbolism behind blue changes depending on the specific blue you choose. Light blues evoke the sky and water, and they can be used effectively with other watery colors. Pair light blue with navy, plum or dark steel blue for a sophisticated palette or use it with light shades of beige and gray.

When you work on a design project that will be printed in ink on paper, use CMYK formulations for light blue colors in your page layout software or choose a solid Pantone spot color. If your design will be viewed on a computer monitor, use the color equivalents. If you are working work with HTML, CSS, or SVG for the web, use Hex codes.

Alice Blue

Alice Blue (aliceblue)

This extremely pale blue is Alice Blue. Because it is so pale, it functions as more of a neutral than other shades of blue, sharing some of the attributes of cool white such as purity and cleanliness.

  • Hex #f0f8ff
  • RGB 240,248,255
  • CMYK 6,3,0,0
  • Pantone Solid Coated 656 C

Azure

Azure (azure; web)

This very light color is a web shade of azure. This pale shade of blue is close to a neutral-cool white.

  • Hex #f0ffff
  • RGB 240,255,255
  • CMYK 6,0,0,0 
  • Pantone Solid Coated 7541 C

Light Cyan

Light Cyan

Cyan is one of the ink colors in CMYK or 4-color process printing. Light cyan is a lighter version of that color. Light cyan is a cool blue-green color. Like other pale and pastel blues, it evokes springtime connotations. 

  • Hex #e0ffff
  • RGB 224,255,255
  • CMYK 12,0,0,0
  • Pantone Solid Coated 628 C

Pale Turquoise

Pale Turquoise

Pale turquoise is a light shade of the blue-green color known as turquoise. This watery blue color pairs well with other watery shades, and it has feminine appeal.

  • Hex #aeeeee
  • RGB 174,238,238
  • CMYK 27,0,0,7
  • Pantone Solid Coated 317 C

Light Blue

Light Blue

Many blues are considered light blue, including this light blue. It's bluer than pale blues but lighter than medium blue. Light blue is a cool, corporate color as well as one of the colors of nature and springtime. It's a peaceful color that is liked by men and women alike.

  • Hex #add8e6
  • RGB 173,216,230
  • CMYK 25,6,0,10
  • Pantone Solid Coated 7457 C

Powder Blue

Powder Blue

Powder blue carries the same symbolism as light blue. It's a peaceful color of nature and springtime.

  • Hex #b0e0e6
  • RGB 176,224,230
  • CMYK 23,3,0,10
  • Pantone Solid Coated 628 C

Light Steel Blue

Light Steel Blue

Light steel blue has a slightly silvery or grayish tinge to it. While light, pale blues often suggest springtime, light steel blue is a more year-round color.

  • Hex #80c4de
  • RGB 176,196,222
  • CMYK 42,12,0,13
  • Pantone Solid Coated 2905 C

Sky Blue

Sky Blue

This sky blue is just one of the many shades of blue associated with blue skies. Combine a light blue such as this with dark blue to convey trust and truthfulness — banker's colors.

  • Hex #87ceeb
  • RGB 135,206,235
  • CMYK 43,12,0,8 
  • Pantone Solid Coated 2905 C

Light Sky Blue

Light Sky Blue

Light sky blue is actually a touch bluer than sky blue. Create a conservative but sophisticated look with subtle contrast by combining light blues such as this light sky blue and dark shades of blue such as navy and midnight blue.

  • Hex #87cefa
  • RGB 135,206,250
  • CMYK 46,18,0,2
  • Pantone Solid Coated 291 C 

Cerulean (Pantone)

Cerulean (Pantone)

In 1999, Pantone named cerulean the color of the new millennium. The company described it as "the color of the sky on a serene, crystal clear day." The Pantone version of cerulean is lighter than cerulean blue pigment. Cerulean blue is a soothing, calming color that evokes feelings of peace and confidence—perfect for the stressed out and tech-dominated citizens of the 21st century.

  • Hex #9bc4e2
  • RGB 155,196,226
  • CMYK 31,13,0,11
  • Pantone Solid Coated 543 C

Serenity (Pantone)

Serenity (Pantone)

Pantone named another light blue as its color of the year for 2016. Serenity approaches a medium blue, but its hint of gray keeps it subtle and businesslike. 

  • Hex #92a8D1
  • RGB 146,168,209
  • CMYK 30,20,0,18
  • Pantone Solid Coated 2134 C
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