Blue is the most popular favorite color in the world. Depending on the shade, blue can remind you of a bright summer sky, the deepest parts of the ocean, or sparkling jewels. However, if you’re choosing a color for a paint project, you have a wide variety of options. As a result, you may wonder, “What’s the difference between navy blue and royal blue?”
Overall, navy blue is a deeper color than royal blue. The deep hue of navy blue can allow it to be neutral, as the tone isn’t overwhelming. However, royal blue has a sense of vibrance that stands out against the darker, moodier navy blue.
Ultimately, while both navy and royal blue are shades of blue, they’re distinctly different. If you’re wondering how the two stand apart, here’s an in-depth look at navy blue vs. royal blue.
Navy Blue vs. Royal Blue: Key Points
As mentioned above, the biggest difference between navy blue vs. royal blue is brightness, with navy blue being dark and rich while royal blue is lighter and more vivid. However, the two also stand apart in other ways.
Since there are distinct differences between navy blue and royal blue, it’s wise to take a closer look at how they stand apart. Here’s an overview of the key points when comparing navy blue vs. royal blue.
| Navy Blue | Royal Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Hexadecimal Color Code | #000080 | #4169E1 |
| Symbolizes | Authority, confidence, unity | Royalty, superiority, trust |
| Associations | Police officers, pilots, military | Royalty, fashion attire, weddings |
| Popularity | Highly popular | Moderately popular |
| Brightness | Dark and rich | Moderately bright and lively |
| History | Original color of British Navy Uniforms | Developed at the behest of King George III |
| Uses | Formal designs, both in regard to attire and homes. Also treated as a neutral, though some view it as a moody shade. | Fashion designs, accent walls, art pieces, and other items meant to stand out, though it’s also viewed as a calming color. |
| Combination | As a neutral, navy blue works well with nearly any hue, though it pairs especially well with gold, gray, and white | Since it’s more vibrant, it pairs well with neutrals, as well as brighter hues |
What Is Navy Blue?
Navy blue is a deep, dramatic shade of blue that’s typically close to black. Since it isn’t overly vibrant and can visually recede, it’s often treated as neutral, as it pairs well with a wide array of shades.
Generally, navy blue doesn’t feature tinges of green or purple, instead sitting well within the blue range. However, lighting conditions can impact the look of navy blue and fabric choices when it’s used on clothing.
Pros of Navy Blue
- Acts as a neutral
- Feels dramatic, confident, and authoritative
- Very popular, nearly always on-trend
Cons of Navy Blue
- May overwhelm small spaces or make larger rooms look small if painted on every wall
- Since it’s associated with uniforms, it may feel incredibly official or formal
What Is Royal Blue?
Royal blue is a vibrant, mid-toned blue that feels vivid without imbuing a space or outfit with too much energy in the right quantities. It’s attention-grabbing, though not overly so, and has a sense of opulence due to its association with royalty. While it doesn’t fully act as a neutral, it pairs well with various colors.
Royal blue is a “true” blue, which doesn’t lean into the green or purple territory. Instead, it feels firmly in the blue range.
Pros of Royal Blue
- Vibrant yet versatile
- Calming or soothing
- Royal flare
- Strong accent
Cons of Royal Blue
- May be overwhelming in large quantities, such as painting a whole room
- Lower popularity, so it isn’t always trendy
What Is the Difference Between Navy Blue and Royal Blue?
While the overviews above give you a solid baseline on how navy blue and royal blue stand apart, taking a closer look at each key point is still worthwhile. It allows you to understand the differences in greater detail, making it easier to choose the right option.
Here’s a look at the differences between navy blue and royal blue.
Symbolizes
In most cases, navy blue is a color that symbolizes confidence, authority, and unity. It can also be viewed as a secure color, associated with professional uniforms for various professions meant to keep people safe and protected.
Royal blue is generally considered a color of royalty due to its origins. As a result, it’s also associated with confidence, sovereignty, superiority, and trust. There’s also a connection with celebrations, particularly since royalty donned the color during parties, and it’s a shade commonly seen at weddings.
Associations
Overall, navy blue is generally considered a serious or formal color. It’s a popular choice for a wide array of uniforms, including some worn by pilots, police officers, and certain military members. Partially, this is because it was initially selected as a navy uniform color in 1748, giving it a long history of use in that regard.
Royal blue has an association with royalty thanks to Princess Charlotte of Wales. She donned a vibrant blue Russian gown in a portrait she received in 1817. The image is world-renowned and is a foundation for why this lively blue shade is connected to royal families.
As for the wedding association, it’s partially attributed to the tradition of brides having a “something blue” on their big day. While there isn’t a requirement for royal blue specifically, many choose a more vibrant shade of blue for this occasion, with royal blue being a popular option.
Popularity
Generally speaking, most shades of blue are popular compared to other colors; however, navy blue has an edge when looking at navy blue vs. royal blue.
Navy blue is functionally neutral, so people commonly buy attire in that hue because it coordinates well with nearly any other color. Plus, it has a degree of formality, which works well in formal living and dining areas, business attire, and more.
Royal blue is less popular since it’s still quite versatile but doesn’t function as a true neutral. Additionally, not everyone prefers higher-intensity colors. Since navy blue is more subdued, it’s got a stronger overall following.
Brightness
Royal blue is generally considered a moderate to high-intensity color. Whether it falls on one side of the line or the other can depend on what it’s paired with, how bright a room is, and other factors.
Navy blue is low-intensity, and not just by comparison. The color is usually deep and rich, often coming close to black. Even in bright lighting conditions, navy blue isn’t a vibrant shade.
History
When it comes to the history of navy blue, its roots are based on the deep hues used in British Royal Navy uniforms in the 18th century. That connection is why the shade is referred to as “navy” blue, as it was viewed as a distinguishing characteristic of that type of military attire.
As mentioned above, Princess Charlotte of Wales wore a vibrant blue dress captured in a portrait. However, the origins of the shade date back a little further. King George III was searching for a color suitable for royalty, and the color chosen was ultimately referred to as royal blue.
Uses
Navy blue is a formal color that’s typically associated with uniforms, though it also acts as neutral. As a result, you’ll find it in a wide array of attire, including business suits, jeans, sweaters, and more.
Navy blue textiles are also widely available. Sheets, towels, comforters, and upholstered furniture all typically come in navy blue.
You can find navy blue interior and exterior paint, too. While it isn’t always a widely used option since it’s incredibly dark, some people are bold enough to use it in certain situations. For example, it can work well for accent walls or entire rooms, suggesting the room is large enough and bright enough to support a deep hue.
Royal blue is usually more common in fashion attire since it’s higher intensity. However, it’s also reasonably available in textiles, as people who enjoy more vibrant colors but want something generally crowd-pleasing may prefer it.
When it comes to paint, royal blue isn’t as widely used since it’s higher intensity. While many consider it a calming shade, too, the strength of the hue can overwhelm smaller spaces. Additionally, some may see the color as a bit childlike, as it’s popular in attire, toys, and bedding created for children.
Do Navy Blue and Royal Blue Match?
Royal blue and navy blue aren’t matching shades. However, they can pair well together since they’re different enough to stand apart. Plus, they can create a monochromatic look that isn’t too matchy-matchy, adding visual interest without becoming overwhelming.
What Colors Go with Navy Blue?
As a functional neutral, practically any color pairs well with navy blue. Whether you want a contrasting shade like gold, a brighter neutral like white or light gray, or a moody hue like dark cranberry, it can all work with navy blue.
What Matches with Royal Blue?
Since royal blue is brighter, it isn’t a true neutral. However, it pairs well with various colors, including orange, magenta, yellow, and green. White, ivory, and beige are also good choices for royal blue.
What Color Is Between Navy Blue and Royal Blue?
If you’re looking for a color between navy blue and royal blue, your best bet is cobalt blue. It’s a moderate-intensity shade that feels distinct and vibrant, but it isn’t as bright as royal blue or as deep as navy blue.
Shades of Blue People Confuse with Navy Blue
In most cases, the color navy blue is most commonly confused with black at a glance. Navy blue can be incredibly dark and may look black, particularly in low-light conditions.
Navy blue and regal blue can get mixed up, as well. Both are rich shades, though regal blue is a slightly steely color, and many even exhibit tinges of green that you don’t find in navy blue.
Blue Colors People Confuse with Royal Blue
People confuse royal blue with several shades. Some get it mixed up with navy blue since they assume there’s a level of formality associated with royal shades. Others may get the name confused with regal blue, which is a deeper, steely blue.
Since cobalt is another mid-toned blue shade, there can also be confusion. French blue is another mid-toned blue similar to royal blue, though it’s slightly more subdued by comparison.
Navy vs. Cobalt Blue
As mentioned previously, navy blue is a deep, dark shade, while cobalt blue is more of a mid-toned hue. As a result, cobalt blue is noticeably brighter than royal blue.
When it comes to the nature of the hue, both navy blue and cobalt are reasonably balanced. Neither leans green or purple, instead, mainly sitting near the center of the blue range, albeit with varying intensity.
Which Blue Is Better: Navy or Royal?
Technically, neither navy blue nor royal blue is better than the other. Each works well in different situations, so it depends on your preferences. Navy blue is deeper and more neutral, while royal blue is brighter and has a sense of vibrance, so choose the option that best fits the situation.
Did you find out everything you wanted to find out about navy blue vs. royal blue? If so, let us know in the comments section below. Additionally, if you know someone trying to choose the perfect shade of blue for their next project, please share the article.