What Color is Purple navy
Purple navy is a sophisticated blend of deep indigo and muted violet, offering a softer alternative to traditional black or midnight blue. It evokes the feeling of twilight, possessing a quiet authority without being overpowering. This shade bridges the gap between the structured corporate world and creative expression.
What color is opposite Purple navy?
The opposite color to Purple navy is Clay Creek (#7e7b4e).
Additional Information
- Color Family: Blue-Violet
- Temperature: Cool
- Associated Season: Autumn
- Complementary Color: #7E7B4E
- Brightness: 85/255
- Saturation: 39%
Colors That Pair Well With Purple navy
Complementary
Pair with Clay Creek for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.
High Contrast
Use Swamp Green 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)
Purple navy History
Historically, obtaining a stable blue-violet was a significant challenge for dyers; while the Royal Navy adopted deep indigo in 1748 for uniforms, pushing that blue toward purple required expensive additives or later chemical innovations. This specific shade sits comfortably within the spectrum of synthetic breakthroughs like Mauveine (1856), which allowed for nuanced, desaturated purples to enter mass production beyond royalty.
Meaning & Psychology
This color stimulates the intellect by combining the calm stability of blue with the creative, spiritual energy of red. It encourages deep introspection, making it ideal for spaces requiring focus, contemplation, or academic study. Unlike bright purple, which can feel whimsical, this desaturated version commands respect and conveys reliability.
In Nature
This specific shade is rarely dominant in flora but is famously captured in the mineral Iolite, often called the water sapphire, which exhibits pleochroism shifting from blue to violet. It perfectly mimics the color of the sky during nautical twilight just before total darkness sets in. Additionally, the shadows cast by deep water hydrangeas often resolve into this cool, muted tone.
How To Use Purple navy
As a senior designer, I recommend using Purple navy as a rich neutral foundation in place of standard charcoal or black. It serves as an excellent backdrop for digital interfaces (specifically dark mode), allowing neon accents like lime green or coral to pop vibrantly without visual fatigue.
Related Words
Curated Palettes
Academic Twilight
A sophisticated palette suitable for education or luxury branding.
Neon Cyberpunk
High contrast digital palette where purple navy acts as the deep background.
Mineral Calm
Earthy and grounded palette inspired by slate and stone.
Color Conversions
Color Blindness Simulation
CSS Snippets
color: #4E5180;
color: rgb(78, 81, 128);
background-color: #4E5180;
border: 3px solid #4E5180;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #4E518066;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #4E5180 0%, #ffffff 100%);

Shop Premium Products in Purple navy
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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.
- Backing: Stone coloured back (or double-sided print).
- Print: Edge-to-edge 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 Purple navy?
Explore color palettes containing Purple navy and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.
Analogous
Complementary
Split-complementary
Triadic
Tetradic
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
Similar Colors
View all Blue-Violet colors →Colors with similar hex values and appearance to Purple navy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for Purple navy?
What colors go with Purple navy?
Is Purple navy accessible for text?
How do I use Purple navy in CSS?
You can use Purple navy in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:
.purple-navy {
background-color: #4E5180;
color: #FFFFFF;
}For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.