If you’re looking for a bold and tasteful nail color, why not try electric blue? Known by a few different names, royal blue, cobalt blue and electric blue are often used interchangeably to describe this beautiful, vibrant shade that often gets overlooked.

However, we’re here to show you that royal blue nails, much like their muted cousins, navy blue nails, deserve a chance to graze your fingertips. Whether you’re after a minimalist royal blue nail set with abstract swirls, or extravagant nail designs complete with rhinestones and decals, these 25 manicure ideas prove that this shade is much more versatile than you may have initially thought!

The Most Stunning Royal Blue Nails

1. Abstract Designs

We love abstract, artistic designs, like this royal blue manicure. Each nail begins with a sheer white base and then is decorated with abstract blue waves that run around the tip of the nail and down each side. The index and ring fingers are finished with little sparkles.

2. A touch of gold

A touch of gold glitter really adds a glamorous touch to any nail design. These nails are painted with royal blue polish and finished with a matte top coat, which perfectly contrasts the stripe of gold glitter at the base of each nail. The index finger is the accent nail, with a nude base and a blue French tip framed with gold.

3. Shimmery Royal Blue + Gold

Go for an opulent look with this shimmering royal blue and gold manicure! Three nails have been painted with a sparkling royal blue polish, that looks like the night sky, while the middle and ring fingers have a sheer pink base and then feature a diagonal swipe of royal blue polish at the tip of the base of the nail, finished with gold foil for extra sparkle.

4. Bold Florals

These royal blue flowers look just incredible and are the perfect manicure for the spring and summer months! Each nail has a sheer white base and is entirely covered in blue flowers with white centers. By covering all of the entire nails, you achieve a bold and striking look.

5. Blue + White Waves

This blue and white wave design looks just stunning! Two nails have been painted with a royal blue polish, while the index finger is painted white and the middle and ring fingers have a sheer white base, then are decorated with waves of white, blue, and silver polish to add a fun detail and a little sparkle to the manicure.

6. Blue chrome

Mirror-like chrome nails are so popular at the moment and we just love this gleaming blue chrome manicure that will look incredible at any time of the year! All the nails are coated in the blue chrome polish that really shines in the light, creating an eye-catching look.

7. Swirls + sparkles

If you are looking for a glamorous manicure, then this swirls and sparkles nail design is just perfect for you. The thumb and little finger are painted in royal blue polish, while the rest of the nails each have a different design. The ring finger has a swirly design, with a touch of glitter, the middle finger has a glittery French tip, while the index finger has a glitter at the base of the glossy nail.

8. French Tips

This royal blue manicure has a chic and sophisticated aesthetic, perfect for everyday wear. The ring finger is painted entirely in royal blue polish, while the rest of the nails have a glossy nude base then are finished with a royal blue French tip. The middle finger stands out with only a framed French tip.

9. Tortoiseshell touch

Tortoiseshell nail art is a big trend at the moment, so why not combine the tortoiseshell pattern with royal blue to create a striking nail design? The index and little fingers are painted in royal blue, while the rest of the nails have a warm amber tortoiseshell design and are decorated with a swipe of royal blue at the tip or the base.

10. Mini evil eyes

These evil eye nails are so cute and are a great way to add a pop of color and a mini design to neutral nails. The nails begin with a few coats of sheer white polish and then are decorated with a swipe of royal blue at the base of the nails, in the center of which sits a tiny blue and white evil eye.

11. Blue Waves

We love the combination of royal blue and sky blue in this wavy manicure. Start with a sheer pink polish then add abstract waves in both blue tones to the tip and base of the nail to create this beautiful, artistic nail design – just gorgeous!

12. Gold glitter + blue shimmer

This glittery, glamorous manicure is perfect for special winter occasions when you want something a little more striking. The nails start with a sheer, nude, matte base and are decorated with sparkling royal blue French tips, framed with a stripe of gold glitter. The ring finger is decorated with a swoop of gold and a glittery star – so pretty!

13. X marks the spot

These X marks the spot nails are so much fun, and a great nail art option if you have short nails. Start with glossy royal blue polish on each nail then add a light blue X to the center of the nails to complete the design and create a chic and simple manicure.

14. Sparkling snowflakes

Royal blue is the perfect color for the festive season and the winter months, which is why you should recreate this snowflake manicure this winter. Each nail has a glittery royal blue base and is decorated with intricate white snowflakes with a little rhinestone in the middle to add a little more sparkle.

15. Love hearts

Go for a paired-back, minimalist look with this royal blue love heart manicure. Three nails have been painted with royal blue polish, while the thumb has a nude base and a blue French tip and the ring finger has a nude base, then is decorated with a blue love heart in the center of the nail.

16. Blue on blue florals

This blue-on-blue floral design is so stunning and has a fun, retro aesthetic too. The nails are painted with a royal blue polish and then decorated with cerulean blue flowers with little black centers. The bold florals create an eye-catching and playful nail design.

17. Royal blue + baby pink

We love the contrast between the deep, rich royal blue polish and the soft, delicate baby pink polish within this manicure. Three nails have been painted in navy blue, while the ring and little fingers have been painted with baby pink polish and then decorated with shiny silver stripes – so stunning!

18. Embellished French tips

Go a little more glam with a classic French tip design with these embellished nails. All the nails start with a glossy pale pink base and then are decorated with a royal blue French tip, in a sharp and sleek V-shape. Each nail is decorated with a mini sparkling rhinestone, except for the middle finger which has a striking rhinestone design sitting in the middle of the nail.  

19. Mini flowers

This mini flower manicure looks incredible and is so detailed too. Three nails have been painted royal blue then finished with a matte top coat, while the index and middle fingers have a sheer white base and then are decorated with lots of tiny blue flowers – so pretty!

20. Curves + Waves

If you are looking for a summery manicure for your next vacation, this royal blue curves and waves nail design is just what you need. The nails start with a glossy nude base and then are decorated with curvy, wave designs along the tip, base, or side of the nail. We love that each nail looks a little different too!

21. Wintery Royal Blue

This wintery royal blue manicure is just gorgeous and perfect for the festive season. The thumb and index finger are painted with glossy royal blue polish, the middle and little fingers are painted with glittery royal blue polish, and the ring finger has a sheer white base and is decorated with an intricate white snowflake.

22. Pink, white + blue

This pink, white, and blue nail design looks beautiful and is unique too. Three nails are painted in a glossy royal blue shade, while the index and middle fingers have a pale pink base and are then decorated with flowers and polka dots in blue and white. The middle finger is covered entirely while the index finger is just decorated at the tip for a striking look.

23. V-Shape Cut-outs

This royal blue manicure has a bold, stunning look, yet is simple and minimalist too. The nails are painted with a glossy royal blue polish, but a V shape is left bare at the base of the nails to reveal the natural nail, adding an unexpected design detail to this chic manicure.

24. Shimmery French tips

Add a little more sparkle to your classic French tip nails with this sparkly design. The nails have a sheer, nude base and are each finished with a shimmery royal blue French tip, adding a little glamour to a sophisticated and elegant nail design.

25. Flowers + waves

We love the mix of designs within this royal blue manicure. The little finger is painted royal blue and the thumb features a royal blue French tip, while the rest of the nails are decorated with florals, waves, and leaves in royal blue and white polish, creating a beautiful, eye-catching, and unique manicure.