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Chartreuse vs Sage Green: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Chartreuse and Sage Green is hue — Chartreuse is a cool-leaning green, while Sage Green is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Chartreuse (#7FFF00) has an HSL of 90°, 100%, 50%, whereas Sage Green (#9CAF88) sits at 89°, 20%, 61%.

Chartreuse#7FFF00
Sage Green#9CAF88
#7FFF00Blended: #8ED744#9CAF88

Chartreuse vs Sage Green: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Chartreuse Sage Green
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=61%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingMuted (S=20%) — subdued, sophisticated
Hue familyGreenYellow-green
TemperatureCool-leaningCool-leaning
Hex code#7FFF00#9CAF88
RGB127, 255, 0156, 175, 136

Can you use Chartreuse and Sage Green together?

Sage Green text on Chartreuse
Chartreuse text on Sage Green
Contrast Ratio:1.82:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Chartreuse and Sage Green Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Sage Green is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Chartreuse looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Chartreuse vs Sage Green in Design

Use Chartreuse for:
Eco, nature, wellness brands
Finance, success, growth
Go-states and confirmations
Food and garden products
Calm, grounded UI surfaces
Use Sage Green for:
Fresh, natural, organic brands
Spring and growth themes
Juice and produce packaging
Eco-conscious products
Wellness and lifestyle

Chartreuse and Sage Green Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Chartreuse#7FFF00

Chartreuse (#7FFF00) is a medium, vivid green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Sage Green#9CAF88

Sage Green (#9CAF88) is a light, muted yellow-green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and subdued, sophisticated.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Chartreuse and Sage Green WCAG Contrast Ratios

Text legibility depends on the contrast ratio between foreground and background. WCAG 2.1 AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1. Use these numbers to choose accessible combinations for your design.

Sample text preview
Chartreuse text on white
1.3:1Fail
Sample text preview
Chartreuse text on black
16.21:1AAA
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on white
2.36:1Fail
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on black
8.9:1AAA
Sample text preview
Chartreuse text on Sage Green
1.82:1Fail
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on Chartreuse
1.82:1Fail

Explore Chartreuse and Sage Green individually

Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.

Chartreuse color page#7FFF00 · shades, tints, pairingsSage Green color page#9CAF88 · shades, tints, pairings

More Chartreuse and Sage Green Comparisons

Chartreuse vs Sage Green FAQ

What is the difference between chartreuse and sage green?+
The main difference between Chartreuse and Sage Green is hue — Chartreuse is a cool-leaning green, while Sage Green is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Chartreuse (#7FFF00) has an HSL of 90°, 100%, 50%, whereas Sage Green (#9CAF88) sits at 89°, 20%, 61%.
Is chartreuse darker than sage green?+
Yes. Chartreuse is darker, with a lightness of 50% in HSL compared to Sage Green at 61% — a 11-point gap.
Are chartreuse and sage green the same color?+
No. Chartreuse is #7FFF00 and Sage Green is #9CAF88. They differ by 1° in hue, 11% in lightness, and 80% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, chartreuse or sage green?+
Chartreuse is more saturated. In HSL, Chartreuse has 100% saturation and Sage Green has 20% — Chartreuse is the more vivid of the two, while Sage Green reads as more muted.
Is chartreuse warm or cool?+
Chartreuse (#7FFF00) is a cool-leaning green. Its hue sits at 90° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Is sage green warm or cool?+
Sage Green (#9CAF88) is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Its hue sits at 89° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Can you use chartreuse and sage green together?+
Yes. Chartreuse (green) and Sage Green (yellow-green) can work as a complementary or analogous pair. Use one as the dominant tone and the other as a 10–20% accent to keep the palette balanced.
What color family does chartreuse belong to?+
Chartreuse belongs to the green family. Its HSL is 90°, 100%, 50% — a cool-leaning tone within the broader green group.
What is the hex code for chartreuse?+
The hex code for Chartreuse is #7FFF00. In RGB, that's rgb(127, 255, 0), and in HSL it's hsl(90, 100%, 50%).
What is the hex code for sage green?+
The hex code for Sage Green is #9CAF88. In RGB, that's rgb(156, 175, 136), and in HSL it's hsl(89, 20%, 61%).