#139BAA · #4292C1
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 1/100 (fail) · Harmony 88/100 (analogous) · Distinguishable 22/100 (hard to tell apart) · Match 50/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Cadet Blue and Steel Blue are a clear pair (ΔE 23). They have closely related hues (16° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Cadet Blue text on Steel Blue: 1.03:1 (Fail); Steel Blue text on Cadet Blue: 1.03:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #00292F clears it.
Analogous — analogous — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 88/100). This is about how they look together (clothing, interiors, branding), independent of text contrast.
Not at body size — the best direction is only 1.0:1, below the 4.5:1 minimum. Nudging one colour to #00292F clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 23 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 23).
Explore each color: Cadet Blue #139BAA · Steel Blue #4292C1 · Shades: Cadet Blue shades · Steel Blue shades · Contrast checker →