Kraken Deep Color Psychology & Meaning
The kraken is the sea monster of the deep, its tentacles rising from the abyss, and this palette is abyss blue with tentacle teal. It feels vast and terrible, the color of the ocean at its most unknowable.
#1E3A4A
#2E5C6E
#8EC8D8
#0E1E2E
Background
Primary Accent
Secondary
Body Text
Kraken Deep Color Palette
#1E3A4A · #2E5C6E · #8EC8D8 · #0E1E2E
Fail
WCAG Grade
1.4:1
Contrast Ratio
970
Saves
2,600
AI Copies
Use #1E3A4A as the background. Use #2E5C6E as the primary accent. Use #8EC8D8 as secondary. Use #0E1E2E as body text/supporting color. Palette mood: Kraken Deep — kraken, deep, tentacle.
Hex Codes, RGB & CMYK Color Values
Technical breakdown for the Kraken Deep color scheme. Use these values for web design (HEX/RGB), print projects (CMYK), or specialized design software (HSL).
| Swatch | Design Role | HEX | RGB | CMYK | HSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background Luminance: 3.8% | 30, 58, 74 | 59%, 22%, 0%, 71% | 202°, 42%, 20% | ||
| Primary Accent Luminance: 9.4% | 46, 92, 110 | 58%, 16%, 0%, 57% | 197°, 41%, 31% | ||
| Secondary Luminance: 52.0% | 142, 200, 216 | 34%, 7%, 0%, 15% | 193°, 49%, 70% | ||
| Body Text Luminance: 1.2% | 14, 30, 46 | 70%, 35%, 0%, 82% | 210°, 53%, 12% |
Kraken Deep Tints & Shades
Hover states, borders and elevation need lighter and darker steps of your base colors. Here are computed tints and shades for every color in the Kraken Deep palette — click any swatch to copy its hex.
#1E3A4A gently saturated cyan-blue
#2E5C6E gently saturated cyan-blue
#8EC8D8 gently saturated cyan-blue
#0E1E2E gently saturated cyan-blue
Kraken Deep Palette Contrast Matrix (WCAG 2.1)
Every color tested as text on every other color as background. Body copy needs 4.5:1 (AA), large text and UI components 3:1. AAA requires 7:1.
| Text on Background | Preview | Ratio | Grade | Safe For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #0E1E2E on #8EC8D8 |
Aa Sample Text
| 9.17:1 | AAA | Body text, headings, UI |
| #8EC8D8 on #0E1E2E |
Aa Sample Text
| 9.17:1 | AAA | Body text, headings, UI |
| #8EC8D8 on #1E3A4A |
Aa Sample Text
| 6.48:1 | AA | Body text, UI |
| #1E3A4A on #8EC8D8 |
Aa Sample Text
| 6.48:1 | AA | Body text, UI |
| #8EC8D8 on #2E5C6E |
Aa Sample Text
| 3.97:1 | Fail | Large headings, UI components |
| #2E5C6E on #8EC8D8 |
Aa Sample Text
| 3.97:1 | Fail | Large headings, UI components |
| #0E1E2E on #2E5C6E |
Aa Sample Text
| 2.31:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
| #2E5C6E on #0E1E2E |
Aa Sample Text
| 2.31:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
| #2E5C6E on #1E3A4A |
Aa Sample Text
| 1.63:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
| #1E3A4A on #2E5C6E |
Aa Sample Text
| 1.63:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
| #0E1E2E on #1E3A4A |
Aa Sample Text
| 1.41:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
| #1E3A4A on #0E1E2E |
Aa Sample Text
| 1.41:1 | Fail | Decorative use only |
Color Harmony: Analogous Scheme
The Kraken Deep palette is built using a analogous relationship between its hues. This ensures that even with high-contrast accents, the overall scheme feels balanced and intentional.
Hue Wheel
A analogous palette is often preferred by professional designers because it creates a calm, serene atmosphere by using neighboring colors.
History & Design Context
The kraken was described by Nordic sailors and by the naturalist Linnaeus, who classified it in the 18th century; it is likely based on the giant squid, which was not filmed alive until 2012.
Best Design Use Cases
Use the abyss blue for the deep, tentacle teal for the accents, pale aqua for the glow, and the darkest navy for text.
Industries This Palette Suits
Fantasy, gaming, film, literature, marine science.
Colors That Pair Well With Kraken Deep
Need a fifth color? These three companions are computed from the palette's own hue positions on the color wheel, so they extend the scheme without breaking its harmony.
orange
directly opposite #2E5C6E on the wheel — the strongest accent for CTAs and highlights when you need maximum energy
blue
30° beside #2E5C6E — a calm secondary that extends the palette without adding tension
tinted neutral
a paper-white carrying the palette's own hue — perfect for surfaces and dividers
Using Kraken Deep Without Breaking Accessibility
- Avoid #2E5C6E for small UI elements on #1E3A4A — at 1.6:1 it misses the 3:1 WCAG threshold; darken it with a shade from the ramp below.
- Don't set body copy in #0E1E2E on #1E3A4A — 1.4:1 fails WCAG AA; keep it for large decorative headings only.
- Don't use #8EC8D8 behind body text — this light tone works better for surfaces, badges and dividers than for reading areas.
How to Implement the Kraken Deep Color Scheme
To use this Kraken Deep color palette in your web project, you can copy the following CSS variables or Tailwind CSS configuration. These roles ensure your UI maintains accessibility and visual hierarchy.
Option 1: CSS Variables
:root {
/* {name} Palette - ihatecolors.com */{'
'} --color-bg: {colors[0]};{'
'} --color-primary: {colors[1]};{'
'} --color-secondary: {colors[2]};{'
'} --color-text: {colors[3]};{'
'} {'}'}Web Design Tip
Use #1E3A4A for the main background and #2E5C6E for primary buttons. This creates a high-contrast focal point.
Accessibility Note
The contrast ratio between #0E1E2E and #1E3A4A is 1.41:1 (Fail). Ensure your body text remains legible.
Kraken Deep Palette — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hex codes in the Kraken Deep color palette?
The Kraken Deep palette contains #1E3A4A, #2E5C6E, #8EC8D8, #0E1E2E. Click any swatch on this page to copy its value, or export all four at once as CSS variables, Tailwind config, SCSS or a Figma-ready list.
Is the Kraken Deep color palette accessible (WCAG)?
Yes for its strongest pairings: #0E1E2E on #8EC8D8 reaches 9.2:1 (AAA). For body text always keep a 4.5:1 ratio and for large UI elements 3:1 — the full contrast matrix above shows the exact score for every color-on-color combination in this palette.
What colors go well with the Kraken Deep palette?
Beyond its own four colors, #7E4935, #374168, #EBEEEF extend it naturally: the complementary hue for high-energy accents, an analogous neighbor for calm transitions, and a tinted neutral for surfaces. All three are computed from this palette's hues on the color wheel.
What mood does the Kraken Deep palette create?
Kraken Deep reads as kraken, deep, tentacle. Gently saturated cyan-blue drives the personality, grounded by gently saturated cyan-blue — a combination that works best when the deep base gets most of the canvas.
Can I use the Kraken Deep color palette commercially?
Yes. Individual color values can't be copyrighted, so the Kraken Deep palette is free for personal, client and commercial work — websites, branding, apps, print and social content, with no attribution required.
How do I add the Kraken Deep palette to Tailwind or CSS?
Use the export panel on this page: CSS variables, a Tailwind config block, SCSS variables, or a Figma copy list are generated from Kraken Deep's exact values, including the tint and shade ramps shown above.