Home /Compare /Dark Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow

Dark Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard Yellow is lighter and Mustard Yellow is more saturated. Dark Goldenrod (#B8860B) has an HSL of 43°, 89%, 38%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.

Dark Goldenrod#B8860B
Mustard Yellow#E1AD01
#B8860BBlended: #CD9A06#E1AD01

Dark Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Dark Goldenrod Mustard Yellow
BrightnessDark (L=38%) — rich, serious, substantialMedium (L=44%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=89%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=99%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowYellow
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#B8860B#E1AD01
RGB184, 134, 11225, 173, 1

Can you use Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow together?

Mustard Yellow text on Dark Goldenrod
Dark Goldenrod text on Mustard Yellow
Contrast Ratio:1.58:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow Apart

  • Check saturation: Mustard Yellow 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 Dark Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow in Design

Use Dark Goldenrod for:
Warning states & highlights
Children's and summer themes
Happy, optimistic branding
Taxi, logistics, signage
Accent color in palettes
Use Mustard Yellow for:
Warning states & highlights
Children's and summer themes
Happy, optimistic branding
Taxi, logistics, signage
Accent color in palettes

Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Dark Goldenrod#B8860B

Dark Goldenrod (#B8860B) is a dark, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Mustard Yellow#E1AD01

Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) is a medium, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow 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
Dark Goldenrod text on white
3.25:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Dark Goldenrod text on black
6.45:1AA
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on white
2.06:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on black
10.18:1AAA
Sample text preview
Dark Goldenrod text on Mustard Yellow
1.58:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on Dark Goldenrod
1.58:1Fail

Explore Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow individually

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

Mustard Yellow color page#E1AD01 · shades, tints, pairings

More Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow Comparisons

Dark Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow FAQ

What is the difference between dark goldenrod and mustard yellow?+
The main difference between Dark Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard Yellow is lighter and Mustard Yellow is more saturated. Dark Goldenrod (#B8860B) has an HSL of 43°, 89%, 38%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.
Is dark goldenrod darker than mustard yellow?+
Yes. Dark Goldenrod is darker, with a lightness of 38% in HSL compared to Mustard Yellow at 44% — a 6-point gap.
Are dark goldenrod and mustard yellow the same color?+
No. Dark Goldenrod is #B8860B and Mustard Yellow is #E1AD01. They differ by 3° in hue, 6% in lightness, and 10% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, dark goldenrod or mustard yellow?+
Mustard Yellow is more saturated. In HSL, Dark Goldenrod has 89% saturation and Mustard Yellow has 99% — Mustard Yellow is the more vivid of the two, while Dark Goldenrod reads as more muted.
Is dark goldenrod warm or cool?+
Dark Goldenrod (#B8860B) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 43° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is mustard yellow warm or cool?+
Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 46° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use dark goldenrod and mustard yellow together?+
Yes. Both dark goldenrod and mustard yellow are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use dark goldenrod as the dominant color and mustard yellow as the accent or highlight.
What color family does dark goldenrod belong to?+
Dark Goldenrod belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 43°, 89%, 38% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
What is the hex code for dark goldenrod?+
The hex code for Dark Goldenrod is #B8860B. In RGB, that's rgb(184, 134, 11), and in HSL it's hsl(43, 89%, 38%).
What is the hex code for mustard yellow?+
The hex code for Mustard Yellow is #E1AD01. In RGB, that's rgb(225, 173, 1), and in HSL it's hsl(46, 99%, 44%).