indigo

#4B0082

CSS color

Overview

Indigo is a deep blue-violet, rgb(75, 0, 130) at hex #4B0082, with a moderate red channel, no green, and a strong blue. This places it at 274 degrees on the hue wheel, fully saturated but held at half brightness for a dark, rich tone. One of the extended CSS3 named colors, indigo is named for the historic plant dye and was famously listed by Newton as a distinct band of the spectrum between blue and violet. Its depth and coolness make it a strong choice for backgrounds and accents where a saturated dark hue is needed. Because it is held at half brightness, indigo contrasts sharply with light foregrounds, and its position between blue and violet gives it a distinctly cool, twilight character.

Indigo (#4B0082) is a deep, rich blue-violet CSS named color corresponding to one of the seven colors of the rainbow, positioned between blue and violet in the visible spectrum. Sir Isaac Newton identified indigo as a distinct spectral hue, though its status as a separate rainbow color has been debated by scientists. Historically, indigo dye from the indigofera plant was among the most prized and costly pigments in the world.

On this page

Color Values

HEX

#4B0082

RGB

75, 0, 130

HSL

274.6, 100.0%, 25.5%

HSV

274.6, 100.0%, 51.0%

CMYK

42.3%, 100.0%, 0.0%, 49.0%

OKLCH

0.339 0.1793 301.7

Properties

Color Psychology

Dark purples like plum and amethyst convey mystery, power, and regal authority. They suggest hidden depths, secret knowledge, and ambitious vision. In Western cultures, deep purple often appears in religious vestments and academic regalia, reinforcing its association with wisdom and ceremony.

Design Usage

Dark purple excels in entertainment branding, gaming interfaces, and luxury e-commerce. It creates dramatic hero sections and immersive backgrounds that feel rich and engaging. Pair it with electric violet or bright pink accents for energy, or with gold and cream for timeless elegance.

Color Harmonies

Color Blindness Simulation

CSS Usage

background-color: #4B0082;
color: #4B0082;
border-color: #4B0082;
Nearest Tailwind: Violet 900 #4C1D95

Tailwind Shades

Contrast Checker

Text on white

12.95:1

AA Pass AAA Pass

Text on black

1.62:1

AA Fail AAA Fail

Compare With

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the RGB, HSL, and CMYK values of #4B0082?

RGB(75, 0, 130) · HSL(274.6, 100.0%, 25.5%) · CMYK(42.3%, 100.0%, 0.0%, 49.0%)

Does #4B0082 meet WCAG contrast on white?

12.95:1 — WCAG AA Pass, AAA Pass for normal text.

What text color is readable on #4B0082?

Use FFFFFF text on a #4B0082 background; contrast on black is 1.62:1.