What Color is Little boy blue
Little Boy Blue is a medium-light shade that sits comfortably between the softness of pastel and the vibrancy of cornflower. It evokes the clarity of a mid-morning sky, offering a visual freshness that feels open and untroubled. Its name is tethered to English folklore, grounding the hue in a sense of nostalgia and pastoral simplicity.
What color is opposite Little boy blue?
The opposite color to Little boy blue is Porsche (#dca76a).
Additional Information
- Color Family: Blue
- Temperature: Cool
- Associated Season: Spring
- Complementary Color: #DCA76A
- Brightness: 151/255
- Saturation: 51%
Colors That Pair Well With Little boy blue
Complementary
Pair with Porsche for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.
High Contrast
Use Rusty Nail for maximum readability. Ideal for text or critical UI elements.
Harmonious Depth
Use lighter and darker shades for a sophisticated, cohesive design. Great for backgrounds, text, and subtle accents.
Color Variations
Tints (add white)
Tones (add grey)
Little boy blue History
The name derives from the English nursery rhyme first printed around 1744, featuring a shepherd boy, though the consistent association of this specific shade with male infants is a 20th-century marketing invention. Before the 1940s, light blue was often associated with the Virgin Mary and considered a dainty, feminine hue, while pink was viewed as a masculine derivative of red.
From a pigment perspective, achieving this specific lightness historically required mixing costly lapis lazuli or azurite with lead white. In the modern era, the synthesis of ultramarine allowed for the mass production of this stable, affordable blue, making it a staple in post-war American fashion and interior design.
Meaning & Psychology
Psychologically, this shade acts as a visual sedative, known to lower heart rates and promote feelings of tranquility. It is non-threatening and suggests reliability, making it a favorite for banks and healthcare providers who wish to appear transparent and safe without the severity of dark navy.
Culturally, the color represents innocence and potential, largely due to its ubiquitous connection to childhood. Unlike electric blues which can be overstimulating, this hue encourages communication and mental clarity, often utilized in spaces where focus and calm are required.
In Nature
True blue is rare in nature, but this specific shade is famously mimicked by the structural coloration of Blue Jay feathers, which scatter light to appear blue rather than containing blue pigment. It is also found in the mineral celestite and the pH-dependent blooms of bigleaf hydrangeas grown in acidic soil.
How To Use Little boy blue
In interior spaces, this color recedes visually, making small rooms appear more spacious and airy. It is particularly effective on ceilings to mimic the sky or in bathrooms to create a sanitary, crisp aesthetic, though it should be warmed with wood tones to avoid feeling clinical.
For digital design, #6CA0DC offers moderate saturation but lacks the darkness required for white text; you must use dark typography (like charcoal or navy) to meet accessibility contrast standards. It functions exceptionally well as a secondary color in UI design, indicating information or neutral status updates.
Related Words
Curated Palettes
Pastoral Morning
A soft, nostalgic palette inspired by nursery rhymes and morning fields.
Coastal Clarity
A crisp, nautical scheme that pairs the blue with high-contrast neutrals.
Hydrangea Garden
An analogous floral palette blending cool purples and fresh greens.
Color Conversions
Color Blindness Simulation
CSS Snippets
color: #6CA0DC;
color: rgb(108, 160, 220);
background-color: #6CA0DC;
border: 3px solid #6CA0DC;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #6CA0DC66;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6CA0DC 0%, #ffffff 100%);
Shop Premium Products in Little boy blue
This isn't just a mockup. We'll custom make high-quality home decor in this exact shade, just for you.
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Product Details
Add a touch of luxury to your home with our premium Eco Velvet cushions. Soft to the touch, these cushions are perfect for adding comfort and style to any room.
- Material: Soft Eco Velvet.
- Feel: Velvety soft finish.
- Print: Double-sided, all-over vibrant color using water-based inks.
- Care: Machine washable at 30°C.
- Construction: Handmade to order with a concealed zipper.
Eco Credentials
We believe in sustainable style. Our cushions are crafted with the planet in mind.
- Made to Order: Produced only when you order, eliminating overproduction and waste.
- Water-Based Inks: Printed using neo-pigment, water-based inks that are non-hazardous, toxin-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Local Fulfilment: Produced locally where possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
- Vegan Friendly: No animal products are used in the production of these cushions.
What Goes With Little boy blue?
Explore color palettes containing Little boy blue and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.
Complementary
Split-complementary
Triadic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast with Black and White
Contrast with Black
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Contrast with White
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Closest Color Matches
Caran d'ache Luminance 6901
Cobalt Blue 10%
#662 • #4992E0
Polychromos
light ultramarine
#140 • #659AD2
Similar Colors
View all Blue colors →Colors with similar hex values and appearance to Little boy blue
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for Little boy blue?
What colors go with Little boy blue?
Is Little boy blue accessible for text?
How do I use Little boy blue in CSS?
You can use Little boy blue in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:
.little-boy-blue {
background-color: #6CA0DC;
color: #FFFFFF;
}For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.