Home /Compare /Dark Khaki vs Mustard

Dark Khaki vs Mustard: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Dark Khaki and Mustard is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard is lighter and Mustard is more saturated. Dark Khaki (#BDB76B) has an HSL of 56°, 38%, 58%, whereas Mustard (#FFDB58) sits at 47°, 100%, 67%.

Dark Khaki#BDB76B
Mustard#FFDB58
#BDB76BBlended: #DEC962#FFDB58

Dark Khaki vs Mustard: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Dark Khaki Mustard
BrightnessMedium (L=58%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=67%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationMuted (S=38%) — subdued, sophisticatedVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowYellow
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#BDB76B#FFDB58
RGB189, 183, 107255, 219, 88

Can you use Dark Khaki and Mustard together?

Mustard text on Dark Khaki
Dark Khaki text on Mustard
Contrast Ratio:1.53:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Dark Khaki and Mustard Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Mustard is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Mustard 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 Khaki vs Mustard in Design

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

Dark Khaki and Mustard Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Dark Khaki#BDB76B

Dark Khaki (#BDB76B) is a medium, muted yellow with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and subdued, sophisticated.

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HSV
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PANTONE
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Mustard#FFDB58

Mustard (#FFDB58) is a light, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

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RGB
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HSV
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PANTONE
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Dark Khaki and Mustard 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 Khaki text on white
2.07:1Fail
Sample text preview
Dark Khaki text on black
10.15:1AAA
Sample text preview
Mustard text on white
1.35:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on black
15.53:1AAA
Sample text preview
Dark Khaki text on Mustard
1.53:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on Dark Khaki
1.53:1Fail

Explore Dark Khaki and Mustard individually

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

Mustard color page#FFDB58 · shades, tints, pairings

More Dark Khaki and Mustard Comparisons

Dark Khaki vs Mustard FAQ

What is the difference between dark khaki and mustard?+
The main difference between Dark Khaki and Mustard is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard is lighter and Mustard is more saturated. Dark Khaki (#BDB76B) has an HSL of 56°, 38%, 58%, whereas Mustard (#FFDB58) sits at 47°, 100%, 67%.
Is dark khaki darker than mustard?+
Yes. Dark Khaki is darker, with a lightness of 58% in HSL compared to Mustard at 67% — a 9-point gap.
Are dark khaki and mustard the same color?+
No. Dark Khaki is #BDB76B and Mustard is #FFDB58. They differ by 9° in hue, 9% in lightness, and 62% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, dark khaki or mustard?+
Mustard is more saturated. In HSL, Dark Khaki has 38% saturation and Mustard has 100% — Mustard is the more vivid of the two, while Dark Khaki reads as more muted.
Is dark khaki warm or cool?+
Dark Khaki (#BDB76B) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 56° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is mustard warm or cool?+
Mustard (#FFDB58) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 47° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use dark khaki and mustard together?+
Yes. Both dark khaki and mustard are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use dark khaki as the dominant color and mustard as the accent or highlight.
What color family does dark khaki belong to?+
Dark Khaki belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 56°, 38%, 58% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
What is the hex code for dark khaki?+
The hex code for Dark Khaki is #BDB76B. In RGB, that's rgb(189, 183, 107), and in HSL it's hsl(56, 38%, 58%).
What is the hex code for mustard?+
The hex code for Mustard is #FFDB58. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 219, 88), and in HSL it's hsl(47, 100%, 67%).