Chart / 5000 series / RAL 5003 Sapphire blue
RAL 5003 Sapphire blue
A very dark, moderately strong blue on screen. First published on this chart 23 April 2013.
This swatch is a screen approximation of the colour. Check a physical RAL fan deck or a painted sample of the actual product before you order or match anything.
| Hex (sRGB) | #2A3756 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 42, 55, 86 |
| HSL | 222°, 34%, 25% |
| CMYK (naive) | 51, 36, 0, 66 |
| CIE Lab (from sRGB) | 23.3, 4.4, -20.4 |
| Relative luminance | 3.9% |
| Text contrast | white text 11.8:1, black text 1.8:1 |
Values are derived from the approximate hex above. CMYK is a simple conversion, not a print recipe: printers convert through their own profiles. Luminance is a screen figure, not a measured light reflectance value (LRV) from a paint data sheet.
How RAL 5003 reads
Sapphire blue is a dark, slightly greyish navy, quieter than RAL 5002 ultramarine blue and lighter than RAL 5004 black blue. It reads smart and understated.
Where it turns up
It works on front doors, window frames, railings and furniture. Navy shades show dust and fingerprints in high gloss, so satin is a practical choice.
Ordering RAL 5003 in paint or powder
Quote the number, not just the name: say "RAL Classic 5003" and add the gloss level, the product type (wall paint, metal paint, powder, aerosol) and the surface. The same number mixed by two makers, or in two gloss levels, can look slightly different, so keep a whole job in one batch and look at a sample in daylight first. The paint counter guide covers the questions to ask.