#76C0E7

Color Profile: #76C0E7

Subject: [Arts & Entertainment / Visual Art & Design]

Common Name: Bright Sky Blue

Core Specs

• Hex: #76C0E7
• RGB: 118, 192, 231
• HSL: ~201°, ~68%, ~70%
• HSV: ~201°, ~49%, ~91%
• CMYK (approx): ~49, ~17, ~0, ~9
• CIE Lab (D65): ~L*74, a*~−13, b*~−27
• Relative Luminance: ~0.47

Contrast & Accessibility

• On White (#FFFFFF): 2.0:1 — AA: fail for normal and large text.
• On Black (#000000): 10.5:1 — AA/AAA: pass for normal and large text.

Tip: For text on light backgrounds, deepen the hue or add a dark outline; for UI elements on dark themes, this color pops without straining readability.

Mood & Associations

Clean and buoyant, #76C0E7 rides that line between sky and sea. It reads optimistic, modern, and a touch playful, which explains why it shows up in dashboards, edtech, and travel graphics. It’s familiar enough to feel safe, but saturated enough to keep interfaces lively.

Close Named Matches (top proximity picks; ΔE shows perceptual difference)

• Munsell 2.5PB 7/8 — #76C0E7 (ΔE=0.00) Exact hit.
• Behr “Costa Rica Blue” 550B-4 — #74BCE1 (ΔE=~1.8)
• Pantone CMYK P 112-4 C — #75C0EB (ΔE=~2.2)
• Isomat LPC 1964 — #74BBE0 (ΔE=~2.1)
• Benjamin Moore “Aquarius” 788 — #7CBEE2 (ΔE=~2.3)

Note: When ΔE is < ~2–3, differences are barely noticeable on calibrated displays; print shifts will depend on stock and coating.

Why Designers Use It.

• Interface Clarity: This blue is bright without being neon, so it’s ideal for focus accents (primary buttons, active states, data points) on dark UI. It carries energy but still reads “trustworthy,” a sweet spot for fintech, SaaS, and health apps.
• Information Design: In charts and maps, #76C0E7 separates cleanly from grays and deeper blues, reducing cognitive load in multi-series visuals. It pairs well with charcoal, navy, and warm neutrals to build a balanced palette for dashboards and reports.
• Brand Tone: The hue leans friendly and globally neutral—fewer cultural pitfalls than red or purple—making it a safe choice for international brands, education campaigns, and municipal comms.
• Print & Production: On coated stock, process CMYK tends to dull the sparkle; a spot ink near the Pantone CMYK P 112-4 C proxy keeps saturation. For textiles and soft signage, dye-sub retains its brightness nicely; for powder coat and plastics, it delivers a crisp, modern finish on devices, kiosks, and fixtures.
• Motion & Web: Works beautifully in gradients (sky-to-deep-ocean ramps) and glassmorphism layers. It remains legible for icons over blurred panes on dark mode, and it’s camera-friendly for product shots and explainer videos.
• Accessibility Pragmatics: Because contrast on white is low for text, it shines as background or accent rather than body copy on light themes. Use darker companions for text, or inverse the scheme for strong results.

Quick Pairings & Usage

• Primary on Dark UI: Buttons, toggles, and links over charcoal or black backgrounds.
• Data Viz: Highlight series against a neutral gray grid; reserve deeper blues for baselines.
• Brand System: Pair with warm neutrals for a human touch; add a deep navy for hierarchy.
• Do/Don’t: Do add depth for text on light surfaces; don’t use as small text over white.