What Color Is Dark Teal? | Deep Blue-Green Definition & Values

If you’ve searched “what color is dark teal,” you’ve likely seen conflicting hex codes and wondered which one is correct. The honest answer: there is no single universal standard. Dark teal sits in a range of deep cyan-to-blue-green values, typically very low in lightness and high in saturation. Designers commonly reference hex codes like #014D4E, #045D5D, or #004B49 — all describe a cool, sophisticated shade that reads as a dark, bold blue-green. This guide breaks down the actual color specs, how dark teal differs from standard teal, and where you’ll encounter it in design and print work.

What Are The Exact Color Values Of Dark Teal?

Dark teal’s appearance depends on which color space you’re working in, but the most commonly cited reference values cluster around a very dark cyan. Here are the specs for the two most frequently used hex codes:

Notice that all four values sit extremely low in lightness — between 15% and 36% in the HSV scale — with high cyan saturation. That’s the defining trait of dark teal: it’s teal’s deeper, moodier cousin. For design work, start with #014D4E as your baseline hex and adjust from there, since it’s the most commonly cited reference across CSS and design communities. If you’re shopping for a paint color instead of a digital code, Benjamin Moore’s Dark Teal (2053-20) is a well-known off-the-shelf version, though manufacturers formulate it differently than digital hex values.

How Is Dark Teal Different From Regular Teal?

Standard teal is standardized in web design as #008080 — a medium-dark blue-green that’s distinctly lighter and brighter than dark teal. The difference is mainly in the lightness channel. Compare the two:

• Standard teal (#008080): RGB (0, 128, 128), lightness around 50% — a balanced, eye-catching blue-green that’s easy to read against both light and dark backgrounds.
• Dark teal (e.g., #014D4E): RGB (1, 77, 78), lightness around 15% — significantly darker, closer to black, and much more subdued. It reads as a rich, sophisticated tone rather than a bright accent.

Think of standard teal as the color of a tropical lagoon; dark teal is the color of deep ocean water at dusk. The Wikipedia entry on teal describes it as a dark cyan color that can be created by mixing cyan with black or gray — which explains dark teal exactly: it’s teal with a heavy dose of black.

Where Is Dark Teal Used In Design And Print?

Dark teal is a go-to color for projects that need a professional, calming, but non-black dark backdrop. It shows up in web design (hero backgrounds, navigation bars), branding for eco-conscious and wellness companies, and print collateral where a moody blue-green fits the tone. For print work, the CMYK values above serve as starting points only — always convert using your target printer’s ICC profile, because dark teal shifts noticeably across paper stocks and press calibrations. If you’re painting a room or exterior trim, dark teal paints from brands like Benjamin Moore offer a reliable physical match; for digital projects, #014D4E or #045D5D are safe bets that look consistent across most modern displays. If you’re ready to explore actual paint options, our roundup of the best dark teal paint colors covers top-rated choices for interior and exterior use.

One common mistake to avoid: don’t assume a single “right” hex code exists. Different design tools, paint brands, and color reference guides publish slightly different values for dark teal. That’s normal. The key is picking one reference (like #014D4E) and sticking with it consistently across your project.