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DarkOrange and SteelBlue

Complementary color combination with 1.76:1 contrast ratio

#FF8C00
#4682B4

Color Values

DarkOrange
HEX #FF8C00
RGB 255, 140, 0
HSL 33, 100%, 50%
SteelBlue
HEX #4682B4
RGB 70, 130, 180
HSL 207, 44%, 49%

Harmony: Complementary

These colors sit opposite each other on the wheel, producing maximum visual contrast. Complementary pairings are vibrant and attention-grabbing, but a 70/30 split keeps them from shouting.

The hue angle between DarkOrange and SteelBlue is 174 degrees. You can explore these relationships interactively in our Color Wheel Tool.

WCAG Contrast

1.76:1
DarkOrange background with SteelBlue text
Below AA — decorative use only

UI Preview

DarkOrange surface

Sample text on a darkorange background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

SteelBlue surface

Sample text on a steelblue background demonstrates readability and visual hierarchy.

Design Tokens

CSS Variables

:root {
  --color-a: #FF8C00;
  --color-b: #4682B4;
  --color-a-rgb: 255, 140, 0;
  --color-b-rgb: 70, 130, 180;
}

JSON

{
  "name": "DarkOrange and SteelBlue",
  "colors": [
    {
      "name": "DarkOrange",
      "hex": "#FF8C00",
      "rgb": [
        255,
        140,
        0
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "SteelBlue",
      "hex": "#4682B4",
      "rgb": [
        70,
        130,
        180
      ]
    }
  ],
  "harmony": "Complementary",
  "contrastRatio": 1.76
}

Explore These Colors

Frequently Asked Questions

Do darkorange and steelblue go together?

Yes. DarkOrange and SteelBlue form a complementary color combination. These colors sit opposite each other on the wheel, producing maximum visual contrast. Complementary pairings are vibrant and attention-grabbing, but a 70/30 split keeps them from shouting. The pairing has a WCAG contrast ratio of 1.76:1, which is below the AA threshold for text — use it for decorative purposes rather than text readability.

What is the contrast ratio between darkorange and steelblue?

The WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio between DarkOrange (#FF8C00) and SteelBlue (#4682B4) is 1.76:1. This ratio is below AA. Use the pairing for backgrounds, borders, and decorative elements rather than text-on-background combinations.

How do I use darkorange and steelblue in design?

A safe starting point is the 60/30/10 rule: give one color about 60 percent of the surface area, the other about 30 percent, and reserve the remaining 10 percent for an accent or neutral. Since these are complementary colors, lean toward a 70/25/5 split to keep the contrast from becoming overwhelming. Test the result with our Contrast Checker if text is involved.

What are the hex and RGB values for darkorange and steelblue?

DarkOrange has the hex code #FF8C00 and RGB values rgb(255, 140, 0). SteelBlue has the hex code #4682B4 and RGB values rgb(70, 130, 180). You can copy these directly into CSS or use the design tokens provided on this page.