Electric blue
A bright blue named for the glow of electrical discharges and lightning
Electric blue is a vivid blue shade, often close to cyan, named after the colour seen in lightning, electric sparks, and ionized argon gas. First recorded in English in 1845, it became especially popular in textiles in the 1890s and now refers to any intense, 'electric' blue.
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- Named after the blue glow of electrical discharges
- First recorded as a colour name in 1845
- Became a popular textile colour in the 1890s
- Close to cyan and often linked to lightning and argon gas
- Includes several shades, such as medium and dark electric blue
What colour is Electric blue?
Electric blue is a strong, bright blue shade, often seen as close to cyan. The colour is named for the glow produced by electrical discharges, such as lightning or sparks, and for the blue light given off by ionized argon gas. Its appearance is striking and intense, setting it apart from softer or more muted blues. The term now covers a range of vivid blue tones that are described as 'electric' for their brightness.
Where does Electric blue come from?
The name 'electric blue' comes from the blue glow seen in ionized air during electrical discharges. It was first used as a colour name in English in 1845. The meaning has broadened over time to include any blue shade that appears especially intense or vivid, not just those directly linked to electricity. In the 1890s, a version called 'medium electric blue' became very popular in fabrics.
Where Electric blue is used
Electric blue has been widely used in textiles, especially in the late 19th century when it was in fashion. It also appears in art and design, where its intense hue is chosen for its eye-catching quality. The colour is often referenced in literature, music, and comics, showing its place in popular culture.
Blue around the world
What the blue family means from country to country.
Lapis lazuli has been mined in the mountains of Badakhshan for more than six thousand years. Ground to powder it gave ultramarine, the costliest blue in European painting.
Royalty and powerSacred and holyAweSource: Lapis lazuliThe chadari is a full-length covering for women with a mesh panel over the eyes. In Kabul and the north it is most often a light blue.
Protection and healingSource: BurqaThe blue band of the flag stands for the wish of the Armenian people to live under peaceful skies. The red above it is for the highlands and the struggle to survive.
Politics and protestHopeSource: Flag of ArmeniaThe flag is sky blue, white and sky blue, created by Manuel Belgrano in 1812. National teams are called the Albiceleste, the white and sky blue.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of ArgentinaBoca Juniors play in blue and gold. The club's story is that in 1907 it took the colours of the flag of the next ship into port, which was Swedish.
Festival and celebrationPrideSource: Boca JuniorsTo be true blue is to be honestly and loyally Australian. The phrase is older than the country, but Australians have made it their own.
Politics and protestTrustSource: True Blue (John Williamson song)Shades and relatives of Electric blue
Several related shades exist, such as deep electric blue (known as 'bleu électrique' in France), iridescent electric blue, medium electric blue, and dark electric blue. Dark electric blue is a darker cyan and matches the colour called Payne's grey. The term 'electric blue' may also be used metaphorically for any especially vivid blue.
Colours that go with Electric blue
Harmonies are worked out from the value #7DF9FF. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Electric blue
What colour is electric blue?
Electric blue is a bright, vivid blue shade, often close to cyan, and is named for the blue glow seen in lightning, electric sparks, and ionized argon gas.
Where does the name electric blue come from?
The name comes from the blue light produced by electrical discharges, such as lightning or sparks, and was first recorded in English in 1845.
Was electric blue ever a fashion trend?
Yes, a version called medium electric blue was especially popular in textiles in the 1890s.
Are there different shades of electric blue?
Yes, variations include deep electric blue, iridescent electric blue, medium electric blue, and dark electric blue.
Is electric blue found in nature?
It is seen in the glow of lightning and electric sparks, and in the light from ionized argon gas.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Electric blue (color)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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