Color swatch image showing #56A0D1 with RGB(86,160,209) values

#56A0D1 Color Meaning and Information

Everything you need to know about #56A0D1 including values, color harmonies, shades, meanings, and applications in design, branding, and everyday visuals.

#56A0D1 Color Information

#56A0D1 RGB value is (86, 160, 209). The hex color red value is 86, green is 160, and blue is 209. Its HSL format shows a hue of 204°, saturation of 57 percent, and lightness of 58 percent. The CMYK process values are 59 percent, 23 percent, 0 percent, 18 percent.

#56A0D1
rgb(86, 160, 209)
ColorMean
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#56A0D1 Color Meaning

Color #56A0D1 embodies collegiate optimism, accessible trust, and democratic clarity. Color #56A0D1 is a bright, slightly green-leaning azure famously associated with the University of North Carolina—but its appeal extends far beyond athletics. #56A0D1 hue sits in the “optimistic blue” zone: light enough to feel open, saturated enough to feel intentional. In institutional branding, color #56A0D1 signals approachability without sacrificing professionalism. Psychological studies show that mid-tone blues like #56A0D1 increase perceived transparency in government and education platforms, likely due to associations with clear skies and clean water. Functionally, color #56A0D1 excels in digital interfaces requiring user trust. #56A0D1’s common in edtech, civic apps, and nonprofit dashboards where neutrality must still feel human. Accessibility tests confirm #56A0D1 meets WCAG AA contrast standards against white for large text, and against dark greys for body copy. In print, #56A0D1 reproduces reliably across CMYK, making #56A0D1 cost-effective for large-scale campaigns. Paired with navy or charcoal, color #56A0D1 creates a hierarchy of authority and accessibility. Symbolically, color #56A0D1 represents community over competition. #56A0D1 is the blue of shared goals, not solo victories. In regional identity, #56A0D1 evokes Southern skies and coastal resilience. Spiritually, #56A0D1 aligns with the throat chakra’s clear-expression mode: communication that includes. Designers choose color #56A0D1 when they want to signal openness without naivety. #56A0D1’s not the blue of secrets—#56A0D1’s the blue of shared light.

Color Conversion

Convert #56A0D1 across different color models and formats. These conversions help designers work seamlessly between digital and print media, ensuring this color maintains its intended appearance across RGB screens, CMYK printers, and HSL color manipulations.

HEX
#56A0D1
RGB
rgb(86, 160, 209)
HSL
hsl(204°, 57%, 58%)
CMYK
cmyk(59%, 23%, 0%, 18%)
HSV
hsv(204°, 59%, 82%)
XYZ
27.9172 31.7235 64.9735
Yxy
31.7235 0.2240 0.2546
Hunter Lab
56.3236 -1.1704 -5.0522
CIE-Lab
63.1137 -8.6430 -31.9764

RGB Values & CMYK Values

RGB Values

Red86 / 255 (34%)
34%
Green160 / 255 (63%)
63%
Blue209 / 255 (82%)
82%

CMYK Values

Cyan59 / 100 (59%)
59%
Magenta23 / 100 (23%)
23%
Yellow0 / 100 (0%)
Key (Black)18 / 100 (18%)
18%

Color Variations

#56A0D1 harmonies come to life through carefully balanced shades, tints, and tones, giving this color depth and flexibility across light and dark variations. Shades add richness, tints bring an airy softness, and tones soften intensity, making it easy to pair in clean, modern palettes.

Color Harmonies

#56A0D1 harmonies create beautiful relationships with other colors based on their position on the color wheel. Each harmony type offers unique design possibilities, enabling cohesive and visually appealing color schemes.

Analogous

Colors adjacent on the color wheel (30° apart)

Complementary

Colors opposite on the color wheel (180° apart)

Split Complementary

Three colors using one base hue and the two hues beside its opposite

Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced (120° apart)

Tetradic

Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel

Square

Four colors evenly spaced (90° apart)

Double Split

Four colors formed from two base hues and the colors next to their opposites

Monochromatic

Variations of a single hue

Contrast Checker

(WCAG 2.1) Test #56A0D1 for accessibility compliance against white and black backgrounds. Proper contrast ensures this color remains readable and usable for all audiences, meeting WCAG 2.1 standards for both normal and large text applications.

#FFFFFF
#56A0D1

Sample Text

This is how your text will look with these colors.

Large Text (18pt+)

2.86:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

Normal Text

2.86:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

UI Components

2.86:1
WCAG AA
WCAG AAA

Color Blindness Simulator

See how #56A0D1 appears to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. These simulations help create more inclusive designs that consider how this color is perceived across various visual abilities.

Normal Vision

#56A0D1

protanopia

#7677c5

Note: These simulations are approximations. Actual color vision deficiency varies by individual.

CSS Examples

Background Color

background-color: #56A0D1;

Text Color

color: #56A0D1;

Sample Text

Border Color

border: 2px solid #56A0D1;

Box Shadow

box-shadow: 0 4px 6px #56A0D140;

Text Shadow

text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px #56A0D1;

Sample Text

Gradient

background: linear-gradient(135deg, #56A0D1 0%, #256088 100%);

#56A0D1 Color FAQs

Frequently asked questions about #56A0D1 color meaning, symbolism, and applications. Click on any question to expand detailed answers.