#0088AF · #2A78E2
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 1/100 (fail) · Harmony 98/100 (analogous) · Distinguishable 32/100 (hard to tell apart) · Match 3/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Steel Blue and Royal Blue are very different (ΔE 44). They have closely related hues (21° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Steel Blue text on Royal Blue: 1.05:1 (Fail); Royal Blue text on Steel Blue: 1.05:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #000F19 clears it.
Analogous — analogous — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 98/100). This is about how they look together (clothing, interiors, branding), independent of text contrast.
Not at body size — the best direction is only 1.1:1, below the 4.5:1 minimum. Nudging one colour to #000F19 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 44 — very different.
clearly different colours (ΔE 44).
Explore each color: Steel Blue #0088AF · Royal Blue #2A78E2 · Shades: Steel Blue shades · Royal Blue shades · Contrast checker →