View source for Navy blue

{{Short description|Very dark shade of the color blue which almost appears as black}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Other uses|Navy blue (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox color
|title=Navy blue
|spelling=color
|hex=000080
|source=[[Web colors#HTML color names|HTML/CSS]]<ref name="css3-color">{{cite web|url=http://www.w3.org/TR/css3-color/#html4|title=CSS Color Module Level 3|work=w3.org|date=19 June 2018}}</ref>
|isccname=Vivid blue|cmyk=(100, 100, 0, 50)
|image={{photomontage
| photo1a=Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - The Blue Angels fly in formation..jpg
| photo1b=Navy blue 🔵sky.webp
| photo1c=
| photo2a=Navy Blue - geograph.org.uk - 4159302.jpg
| photo2b=
| photo2c=
| photo3a=
| size = 243
| color_border = #000080
| color =  #000080
| foot_montage = }}|caption=From top left: Navy blue jets fly in formation, Night sky, people carrying Navy blue umbrellas}}

'''Navy blue''' is a dark shade of the [[color]] [[blue]]. The name '''navy blue''' originally referred to the color of uniforms worn by officers in the British navy. In the late 18th century, the British [[Royal Navy]] adopted the color for its sailors' uniforms, partly due to the practical reason that dark colors were less prone to showing dirt and wear during long sea voyages. The color became so associated with naval service that it came to be known simply as "navy blue."

==History==
Navy blue got its name from the dark blue (contrasted with naval white) worn by officers in the British [[Royal Navy]]. The first uniform regulations for [[officer (military)|officers]] were issued in 1748, with the predominant colors being [[Dark blue (color)|dark blue]], and [[white]].<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/rn-life/uniforms-and-badges-of-rank/index.htm|title=Uninforms and Badges of Rank (Archived)|publisher=National Archives|date=|access-date=10 July 2025|archive-date=8 December 2010|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101208220218/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/rn-life/uniforms-and-badges-of-rank/index.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> It was initially called ''marine blue'',<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York: 1930 McGraw-Hill Page 168 Discussion of color ''navy blue''</ref> but by at least 1780, it was being referred to in the British press as ''navy blue''.<ref>https://www.oed.com/dictionary/navy-blue_n?tab=factsheet#13346423</ref> 

The distinctive dark shade of blue was subsequently adopted by other navies and military forces around the world, becoming a symbol of military authority and discipline.

The color gained further popularity as a neutral and versatile hue. Navy blue was often used for [[business suit]]s, [[school uniform]]s and other formal wear. It was especially prominent in men's fashion in the mid-20th century.

{{gallery
|width=200
|height=250
|File:Captain Edward Vernon (1723-1794). by Francis Hayman.jpg|[[Edward Vernon (Royal Navy officer, born 1723)|Captain Edward Vernon]] in the navy blue and white uniform of the [[Royal Navy]] (c1750)
|File:French sailor, 1880s.jpg|French sailor in dark blue uniform (c1843)
}}

== Variations ==
=== Indigo dye ===
{{Main|Indigo#Indigo dye color}}
{{infobox color
|title=Indigo dye
|hex=091F92
|source=Gallego and Sanz<ref>Gallego, Rosa; Sanz, Juan Carlos (2005). ''Guía de coloraciones'' (Gallego, Rosa; Sanz, Juan Carlos (2005). ''Guide to Colorations'') Madrid: H. Blume. {{ISBN|84-89840-31-8}}</ref>
|isccname=Vivid blue}}

Indigo dye is the color which is called ''Añil'' (the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word for "indigo dye") in the ''Guía de coloraciones'' (''Guide to colorations'') by Rosa Gallego and Juan Carlos Sanz, a color dictionary published in 2005 that is widely popular in the [[Hispanophone]] realm.

Indigo dye is the basis for all the historical navy blue colors, since in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century, almost every navy uniform was made by dyeing them with various shades of indigo dye.
{{Clear}}

=== Navy blue (Crayola) ===
{{infobox color
| title=Navy blue (Crayola)
| hex=0066CC
| source=[[List of Crayola crayon colors#Standard colors|Crayola]]
| isccname=Vivid blue}}

The [[Crayola]] color named "navy blue" is not as dark a shade as the blues actually used by navies.

This tone of navy blue was formulated as a Crayola color in 1958.
{{Clear}}

=== U.S. Navy blue ===
{{infobox color
|title=U.S. Navy blue
|hex=022A3A
|source=United States Navy
|isccname=Dark azure blue}}
The [[United States Navy]] uses #022A3A as an official color.<ref>{{cite web|title=America's Navy Color Palette: Digital|url=https://media.defense.gov/2021/Apr/08/2002616384/-1/-1/1/FINALLICENSINGGUIDELINES_DIGITAL_2162021.PDF#page=34|work=United States Navy Licensing Guide|date=8 April 2021|access-date=27 August 2022|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831225037/https://media.defense.gov/2021/Apr/08/2002616384/-1/-1/1/FINALLICENSINGGUIDELINES_DIGITAL_2162021.PDF#page=34|url-status=live}}</ref> Navy blue is the predominant color of U.S. Navy uniforms. The [[flag of the U.S. Navy]] uses navy blue.

{{gallery
|File:US Navy 110312-N-0864H-289 USS Blue Ridge departs for Japan.jpg|US Navy soldiers in navy blue cameo
|File:Flag of the United States Navy.svg|Flag of the US Navy
}}
{{clear}}

=== Peacoat ===
{{infobox color
|title=Peacoat
|hex=2B2E43
|source=[[Pantone TCX]]<ref>[http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/colorfinder.aspx Pantone TCX]</ref>
|isccname=Dark purplish blue}}

The source of this color is the [[Pantone]] textile cotton extended color list, color #19-3920 TCX—peacoat.

{{Clear}}

=== Persian indigo ===
{{Main|Persian blue#Persian indigo}}
{{infobox color
|title=Persian Indigo
|hex=32127A
|source=[[99colors.net]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.99colors.net/name/persian-indigo|title=Color Persian indigo &#124; Hex Code #32127A &#124; RGB 50, 18, 122|website=www.99colors.net}}</ref>/Maerz and Paul<ref>The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called ''regimental'' in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill;  the color ''regimental'' is displayed on page 117, Plate 47, Color Sample C10.</ref>
|isccname=Vivid purplish blue}}

The color '''Persian indigo''' is displayed on the right. Another name for this color is '''regimental''' because in the 19th century, it was commonly used by many nations for navy uniforms, though it is rarely used in modern times.

''Persian indigo'' is named for an association with a product from Persia: Persian cloth dyed with [[Indigo dye|indigo]].

The first recorded use of ''regimental'' (the original name for the color now called Persian indigo) as a color name in English was in 1912.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 203 (It is also stated under the entry on ''Persian Blue'' on page 201 that the color on Plate 47 Color Sample C10 (''regimental'') is a [darker] tone of Persian Blue.); color sample of Regimental: Page 117 Plate 47 Color Sample C10</ref>
{{Clear}}

=== Space cadet ===
{{Main|Cadet grey#Space cadet}}
{{infobox color
|title=Space cadet
|hex=1E2952
|source=[[Resene]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.resene.co.nz/swatches/preview.php?chart=Resene+Multi-finish+range+(2016)&brand=Resene&name=Space+Cadet|title=Colour Swatch|website=Resene Swatches}}</ref>
|isccname=Dark blue}}

''Space cadet'' is one of the colors on the Resene Color List,<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.resene.co.nz/swatches/preview.php?chart=Resene%20Multi-finish%20range%20%282016%29&brand=Resene&name=Space%20Cadet
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711222405/https://www.resene.co.nz/swatches/preview.php?chart=Resene%20Multi-finish%20range%20%282016%29&brand=Resene&name=Space%20Cadet
|archive-date=11 July 2024
|title=Resene Color List
|access-date=24 July 2024
}}</ref> a color list widely popular in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. The color was formulated in 2007.

This color is apparently a formulation of an impression of the color that cadets in [[space navy]] training would wear.
{{Clear}}

== In culture ==

=== Computers ===
{{infobox color
|title=Navy Blue (HTML)
|hex=000080
|source=[[w3schools.com]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.w3schools.com/html/html_colornames.asp|title=HTML Color Names|website=www.w3schools.com|access-date=2018-04-07|archive-date=2014-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410230341/http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_colornames.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
* The color ''navy'' was one of the original 16 [[Web colors#HTML color names|HTML/CSS]] colors  initially formulated for standardized [[computer]] display in the late 1980s.

=== Military ===
* In many world navies, including the [[United States Navy]] and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], uniforms which are called "navy blue" are, in actuality, colored [[black]], as the uniforms became progressively darker over time to counter fading of the dye, although modern dyes are fade resistant. The Canadian Forces dress instructions specify that {{"'}}navy blue' is a tone of black".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gc.ca/lf/Downloads/cfp265.pdf|title=Canadian Forces Dress Instructions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326174038/http://www.army.gc.ca/lf/Downloads/cfp265.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> (See  also [[uniforms of the United States Navy]] and [[uniforms of the Royal Canadian Navy]].)

=== Music ===
* ''Navy Blue'' is an album by [[Diane Renay]] (all the songs are about sailors).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dianerenay.com/|title=Diane Renay|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404022114/http://www.dianerenay.com/|archive-date=4 April 2007|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

=== Fashion ===
* Navy blue and white, often accented with gold buttons or rope motifs, are signature elements of [[nautical style]]. The colous evoke a sense of naval tradition and oceanic life. They are often seen in the form of Breton stripes; horizontal stripes found in the traditional [[marinière]] of the French navy. The colors have become synonymous with seaside chic.

:Navy blue is also considered to be a classic color in other styles of dress, especially in [[business casual]]. It associates with naval power, authority, and formal events, though it's also a common choice for a range of contemporary uses, from [[interior design]] to school uniforms.

=== Sports ===
* Navy blue is used by numerous professional and [[college athletics|collegiate sports]] teams:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Association football]]'''
* [[Scotland national football team|Scottish national team]]
* United States [[United States men's national soccer team|men's]] and [[United States women's national soccer team|women's]] national teams
* [[Falkirk F.C.]]
* [[Manchester City F.C.]]
* [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]]
* [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.]]
* [[York City F.C.]]
* [[Società Ginnastica Andrea Doria]]
* [[Genoa C.F.C.]]
* [[Melbourne Victory]]
* [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux]]
* [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe S.K.]]
* [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.]]
* [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club]]
* [[Los Angeles Galaxy]]
* [[New England Revolution]]
* [[New York City F.C.]]
* [[Philadelphia Union]]
* [[Sporting Kansas City]]
* [[Vancouver Whitecaps]]
* [[Viking FK|Viking Stavanger]]

'''[[Australian Football League]]'''
* [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide Crows]]
* [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton Blues]]
* [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong Cats]]
* [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne Demons]]

'''[[Major League Baseball]]'''
* [[Atlanta Braves]]
* [[Boston Red Sox]]
* [[Cleveland Guardians]]
* [[Detroit Tigers]]
* [[Houston Astros]]
* [[Los Angeles Angels]]
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]]
* [[Minnesota Twins]]
* [[New York Yankees]]
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
* [[Seattle Mariners]]
* [[Tampa Bay Rays]]
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
* [[Washington Nationals]]

{{Col-break}}
'''[[National Basketball Association]]'''
* [[Dallas Mavericks]]
* [[Denver Nuggets]]
* [[Indiana Pacers]]
* [[Memphis Grizzlies]]
* [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
* [[New Orleans Pelicans]]
* [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]
* [[Washington Wizards]]

'''[[National Football League]]'''
* [[Chicago Bears]]
* [[Dallas Cowboys]]
* [[Denver Broncos]]
* [[Houston Texans]]
* [[New England Patriots]]
* [[Los Angeles Chargers]]
* [[Seattle Seahawks]]
* [[Tennessee Titans]]

'''[[National Hockey League]]'''
* [[Colorado Avalanche]]
* [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]
* [[Florida Panthers]]
* [[Nashville Predators]]
* [[New York Rangers]]
* [[St. Louis Blues]]
* [[Seattle Kraken]]
* [[Washington Capitals]]
* [[Winnipeg Jets]]

{{Col-break}}
'''[[National Rugby League]]'''
* [[Melbourne Storm]]
* [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
* [[Sydney Roosters]]

'''American Collegiate Teams'''
* [[University of Arizona]]
* [[University of California, Berkeley]]
* [[University of Pittsburgh]]
* [[Auburn University]]
* [[Adamson University]]
* [[Florida Atlantic University]]
* [[Florida International University]]
* [[Georgetown University]]
* [[Georgia Institute of Technology]]
* [[Gonzaga University]]
* [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois]]
* [[University of Notre Dame]]
* [[University of Maine]]
* [[University of Michigan]]
* [[University of Mississippi]]
* [[University of Nevada, Reno]]
* [[University of Virginia]]
* [[Palm Beach Atlantic University]]
* [[Pennsylvania State University]]
* [[University of Rhode Island]]
* [[Saint Mary's College of California]]
* [[Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania]]
* [[Syracuse University]]
* [[West Virginia University]]
* [[Navy Midshipmen|United States Naval Academy]]
* [[Xavier University]]
* [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]]
* [[Catawba College]]
* [[University of Connecticut]]
{{col-end}}

== See also ==
* [[Air Force blue]]
* [[Army green]]
* [[Azure (color)]]
* [[List of colors]]
* [[Midnight blue]]
* [[Royal blue]]
* [[Sky blue]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Navy blue}}

{{Web colors|color}}
{{Shades of blue|Navy}}
{{Color topics}}

[[Category:Shades of blue]]
[[Category:Web colors]]