#0087AE · #B26238
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 2/100 (fail) · Harmony 94/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 100/100 (easy to tell apart) · Match 0/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Cerulean and Clay are very different (ΔE 81). They have near-opposite hues (173° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Cerulean text on Clay: 1.08:1 (Fail); Clay text on Cerulean: 1.08:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #000812 clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 94/100). 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 #000812 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 81 — very different.
clearly different colours (ΔE 81).
Explore each color: Cerulean #0087AE · Clay #B26238 · Shades: Cerulean shades · Clay shades · Contrast checker →