#101E2E · #281A08
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 100/100 (complementary) · Distinguishable 63/100 (somewhat similar) · Match 44/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Deep Blue and Deep Orange are a clear pair (ΔE 26). They have near-opposite hues (178° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Deep Blue text on Deep Orange: 1.00:1 (Fail); Deep Orange text on Deep Blue: 1.00:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #74869A clears it.
Complementary — complementary — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 100/100). 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 #74869A clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 26 — a clear pair.
clearly different colours (ΔE 26).
Explore each color: Deep Blue #101E2E · Deep Orange #281A08 · Shades: Deep Blue shades · Deep Orange shades · Contrast checker →