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Eggplant vs Plum: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Eggplant and Plum is hue — Eggplant is a warm-leaning pink, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Eggplant and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Eggplant (#614051) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Eggplant#614051
Plum#DDA0DD
#614051Blended: #9F7097#DDA0DD
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Eggplant vs Plum: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Eggplant Plum
BrightnessDark (L=32%) — rich, serious, substantialLight (L=75%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationMuted (S=20%) — subdued, sophisticatedModerately saturated (S=47%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyPinkMagenta
TemperatureWarm-leaningWarm-leaning
Hex code#614051#DDA0DD
RGB97, 64, 81221, 160, 221

Can you use Eggplant and Plum together?

Plum text on Eggplant
Eggplant text on Plum
Contrast Ratio:4.30:1Large Text Only

How to Tell Eggplant and Plum Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Plum is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Plum looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 29° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Eggplant or Plum: Which to Use and Where

Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.

◆Branding & logos
PickPlum

Plum is more saturated (47% HSL vs 20%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Eggplant can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickEggplant

Eggplant hits a 8.90:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Plum only reaches 2.07:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickPlum

Plum is a warm tone that flatters spring/summer collections and warmer skin undertones, while Eggplant leans warmer and is better suited to autumn/winter layering.

▣Interior design & walls
PickEggplant

Eggplant is the more muted of the two (20% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Plum's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Eggplant vs Plum in Design

Use Eggplant for:
●Soft feminine branding
●Beauty, skincare, romance
●Valentine's and weddings
●Youthful and playful design
●Gentle friendly UI accents
Use Plum for:
●Bold fashion and beauty
●Youthful music and events
●Pride and celebration
●Creative tech startups
●High-energy marketing

Eggplant and Plum Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Eggplant#614051

Eggplant (#614051) is a dark, muted pink with a warm-leaning undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and subdued, sophisticated.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Plum#DDA0DD

Plum (#DDA0DD) is a light, moderately saturated magenta with a warm-leaning undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Eggplant and Plum 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
Eggplant text on white
8.9:1AAA
Sample text preview
Eggplant text on black
2.36:1Fail
Sample text preview
Plum text on white
2.07:1Fail
Sample text preview
Plum text on black
10.15:1AAA
Sample text preview
Eggplant text on Plum
4.3:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Plum text on Eggplant
4.3:1AA Large

Explore Eggplant and Plum individually

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

Plum color page#DDA0DD · shades, tints, pairings

More Eggplant and Plum Comparisons

PlumvsEggplantMauvevsPlumPlumvsGrapeGrapevsEggplantGrapevsPlumPurplevsEggplantPlumvsLilacVioletvsEggplantPlumvsPurpleEggplantvsBurgundyPurplevsPlumAmethystvsEggplant

Eggplant vs Plum FAQ

What is the difference between eggplant and plum?+
The main difference between Eggplant and Plum is hue — Eggplant is a warm-leaning pink, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Eggplant and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Eggplant (#614051) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is eggplant darker than plum?+
Yes. Eggplant is darker, with a lightness of 32% in HSL compared to Plum at 75% — a 43-point gap.
Are eggplant and plum the same color?+
No. Eggplant is #614051 and Plum is #DDA0DD. They differ by 29° in hue, 43% in lightness, and 27% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, eggplant or plum?+
Plum is more saturated. In HSL, Eggplant has 20% saturation and Plum has 47% — Plum is the more vivid of the two, while Eggplant reads as more muted.
Is eggplant warm or cool?+
Eggplant (#614051) is a warm-leaning pink. Its hue sits at 329° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm-leaning range.
Is plum warm or cool?+
Plum (#DDA0DD) is a warm-leaning magenta. Its hue sits at 300° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm-leaning range.
Can you use eggplant and plum together?+
Yes. Eggplant (pink) and Plum (magenta) 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 eggplant belong to?+
Eggplant belongs to the pink family. Its HSL is 329°, 20%, 32% — a warm-leaning tone within the broader pink group.
What is the hex code for eggplant?+
The hex code for Eggplant is #614051. In RGB, that's rgb(97, 64, 81), and in HSL it's hsl(329, 20%, 32%).
What is the hex code for plum?+
The hex code for Plum is #DDA0DD. In RGB, that's rgb(221, 160, 221), and in HSL it's hsl(300, 47%, 75%).