Mustard
Also known as: Brownish Yellow, Sulphur, Lionhead, Grass Daisy
Mustard is what happens when yellow turns medium and vivid. The effect is bright and alert, made for summer palettes and highlights and warnings. For contrast, pair it with a blue from its complementary palette below. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (10.07:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Mustard color codes
- HEX
- #CEB301
- RGB
- rgb(206, 179, 1)
- RGBA
- rgba(206, 179, 1, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(52, 99%, 41%)
- HSV
- hsv(52, 100%, 81%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 13%, 100%, 19%)
- LAB
- lab(73.6 -0.4 74.6)
- OKLCH
- oklch(76.7% 0.158 98.2)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
warm
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: goldenrod#DAA520 · ΔE 8.3
- RAL 1012 — Lemon yellow#DDAF27 · ΔE 5.8 · approximate
RAL values are widely published approximations of the physical standard. For Pantone-adjacent workflows, match by eye against a physical fan deck — Pantone's values are proprietary and device-dependent, so we don't print lookups.
Where Mustard works
- Web & UI: Reads as an interactive accent: fills, hovers, focus rings. Keep body text in a darker neutral.
- Interiors: Use it where you want the eye to land — front door, built-ins, or one bold wall.
- Fashion: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.
- Branding: Commands attention in logos and packaging; balance it with generous neutral space.
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively — dividers, chart series, illustration accents — and let neutrals carry the type.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette — packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as — every ecosystem
Tints, shades, and tones of Mustard
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Mustard by rotating its hue in OKLCH space. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split-complementary
Tetradic
Monochromatic
Contrast & accessibility
Aa — on white
contrast 2.08:1
AA failAAA failAA large fail
Aa — on black
contrast 10.07:1
AA passAAA passAA large pass
Best text color on a Mustard background: #000000
Palettes featuring Mustard
Mustard with its complement
Soft neighbors of Mustard
Mustard triad
Similar colors
- Sulphur#CAB012 · ΔE 1.1
- Hot Sand#CCAA00 · ΔE 3.0
- Old Gold#CFB53B · ΔE 3.2
- Gold Tooth#DBB40C · ΔE 3.3
- Wax#DDBB33 · ΔE 3.6
- Greenfinch#BDA928 · ΔE 4.4
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Mustard is closest to Widowmaker.
Mustard FAQs
What color is Mustard?
Mustard is a medium yellow with the hex code #CEB301. In HSL terms it has a hue of 52°, 99% saturation, and 41% lightness.
What is the hex code for Mustard?
The hex code for Mustard is #CEB301. In RGB it's rgb(206, 179, 1), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 13%, 100%, 19%).
What colors go well with Mustard?
Mustard pairs naturally with blue tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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