Papyrus
Also known as: Turtle Moss, Pea Soup, Devil’s Flower Mantis, Old Asparagus
With its warm undertone, Papyrus (#999911) comes across as cheerful and optimistic. Designers reach for it in cheerful branding and kids' apps. Match it with blue accents when the design calls for energy over calm. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (6.92:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Papyrus color codes
- HEX
- #999911
- RGB
- rgb(153, 153, 17)
- RGBA
- rgba(153, 153, 17, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(60, 80%, 33%)
- HSV
- hsv(60, 89%, 60%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 0%, 89%, 40%)
- LAB
- lab(61.6 -10.6 61.3)
- OKLCH
- oklch(66.1% 0.140 109.7)
Color intelligence
Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
warm
Nearest standard colors
- CSS: olive#808000 · ΔE 8.8
- RAL 1027 — Curry#A77F0E · ΔE 13.8 · 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 Papyrus works
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively — dividers, chart series, illustration accents — and let neutrals carry the type.
- 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.
- Branding: Best in a brand's supporting palette — packaging interiors, patterns, campaign accents.
Copy as — every ecosystem
Tints, shades, and tones of Papyrus
Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Color harmonies
Palettes built from Papyrus 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 3.04:1
AA failAAA failAA large pass
Aa — on black
contrast 6.92:1
AA passAAA failAA large pass
Best text color on a Papyrus background: #000000
Palettes featuring Papyrus
Papyrus with its complement
Soft neighbors of Papyrus
Papyrus triad
Similar colors
- Countryside#A4A404 · ΔE 3.7
- BioShock#889900 · ΔE 4.3
- Lucky#AB9A1C · ΔE 4.9
- Martian#AEA132 · ΔE 5.1
- Noxious#89A203 · ΔE 6.0
- Gecko#9D913C · ΔE 6.1
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Papyrus is closest to Perrywinkle.
Papyrus FAQs
What color is Papyrus?
Papyrus is a dark yellow with the hex code #999911. In HSL terms it has a hue of 60°, 80% saturation, and 33% lightness.
What is the hex code for Papyrus?
The hex code for Papyrus is #999911. In RGB it's rgb(153, 153, 17), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 0%, 89%, 40%).
What colors go well with Papyrus?
Papyrus pairs naturally with blue tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
Got a photo with a color like this? Identify it with the analyzer — free, instant, private.