823 — Navy Blue dark
Blues family
Looking up DMC 823? It's Navy Blue dark, a dark blue shade (#20233A / RGB 32, 35, 58). Scroll down for Cosmo, Classic Colorworks, and Weeks Dye Works equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close DMC alternatives and curated color harmonies.
Brand Equivalents for DMC 823
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar DMC Colors to 823
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 823
It pops on white and light fabric but nearly disappears on black, so pair it with a light or neutral ground.
DMC 823 (Navy Blue dark) is dark enough to define edges: stitchers reach for shades like it when a design needs crisp backstitch outlines or readable text.
Color Harmonies for DMC 823
DMC threads that pair well with 823, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Blues Family
DMC 823 in context with nearby shades from the blues color family.
About DMC 823
Meet DMC 823, Navy Blue dark — a muted, dark thread in the blues family with true blue tones. The shade reads as dramatic and quiet — a go-to choice for forget-me-nots and bluebird motifs. It also turns up in patterns built around whale designs and sapphire accents.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 823 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 823 is Navy Blue dark — a dark blue thread (hex #20233A, RGB 32, 35, 58). It shows up most in water and denim textures.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 823?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 823 (Navy Blue dark) is Anchor 941 (Cornflower Blue Medium) with a 81% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 1036 (Antique Blue Ultra Very Dark, 72%) and Anchor 123 (Blue Purple Dark, 70%).
Which DMC threads are close to 823?
The closest DMC threads to 823 are 939 Navy Blue very dark (ΔE 3.58), 336 Navy Blue (ΔE 5.45), and 311 Navy Blue medium (ΔE 6.26). These are useful substitutes when 823 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 823 good for?
DMC 823 (Navy Blue dark) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring water, denim textures, cool-toned backgrounds, nautical themes. Its dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 823.
Is DMC 823 (Navy Blue dark) good for backstitching and outlines?
It's an excellent outline color. The depth of 823 defines edges and text cleanly where lighter threads would disappear into the fill; one strand is usually enough for backstitch.