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Eggshell vs Ivory: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Eggshell and Ivory is hue — Eggshell is a warm yellow, while Ivory is a cool-leaning off-white. Eggshell and Ivory are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Eggshell (#F0EAD6) and Ivory (#FFFFF0) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.

Eggshell#F0EAD6
Ivory#FFFFF0
#F0EAD6Blended: #F8F5E3#FFFFF0
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Eggshell vs Ivory: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Eggshell Ivory
BrightnessVery light (L=89%) — pale, delicate, gentleVery light (L=97%) — pale, delicate, gentle
SaturationModerately saturated (S=46%) — balanced in intensityVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowOff-white
TemperatureWarmCool-leaning
Hex code#F0EAD6#FFFFF0
RGB240, 234, 214255, 255, 240

Can you use Eggshell and Ivory together?

Ivory text on Eggshell
Eggshell text on Ivory
Contrast Ratio:1.19:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Eggshell and Ivory Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Ivory is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Check saturation: Ivory looks more vivid and saturated.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 14° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Eggshell or Ivory: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickIvory

Ivory is more saturated (100% HSL vs 46%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Eggshell can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickEggshell

Eggshell hits a 1.20:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Ivory only reaches 1.01:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickEggshell

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickEggshell

Eggshell is the more muted of the two (46% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Ivory's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Eggshell vs Ivory in Design

Use Eggshell for:
●Warning states & highlights
●Children's and summer themes
●Happy, optimistic branding
●Taxi, logistics, signage
●Accent color in palettes
Use Ivory for:
●Backgrounds and page surfaces
●Minimalist editorial design
●Luxury clean aesthetics
●Soft wedding invitations
●Wellness and spa brands

Eggshell and Ivory Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Eggshell#F0EAD6

Eggshell (#F0EAD6) is a very light, moderately saturated yellow with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Ivory#FFFFF0

Ivory (#FFFFF0) is a very light, vivid off-white with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Eggshell and Ivory 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
Eggshell text on white
1.2:1Fail
Sample text preview
Eggshell text on black
17.45:1AAA
Sample text preview
Ivory text on white
1.01:1Fail
Sample text preview
Ivory text on black
20.81:1AAA
Sample text preview
Eggshell text on Ivory
1.19:1Fail
Sample text preview
Ivory text on Eggshell
1.19:1Fail

Explore Eggshell and Ivory individually

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

Eggshell color page#F0EAD6 · shades, tints, pairingsIvory color page#FFFFF0 · shades, tints, pairings

More Eggshell and Ivory Comparisons

EggshellvsSandEcruvsIvoryIvoryvsSnowCreamvsEggshellIvoryvsEcruBeigevsEggshellIvoryvsNavyPeachvsEggshellIvoryvsTealLinenvsEggshellIvoryvsSageEggshellvsHoney

Eggshell vs Ivory FAQ

What is the difference between eggshell and ivory?+
The main difference between Eggshell and Ivory is hue — Eggshell is a warm yellow, while Ivory is a cool-leaning off-white. Eggshell and Ivory are often confused but differ in brightness, saturation, and undertone. Eggshell (#F0EAD6) and Ivory (#FFFFF0) each have distinct characteristics and best uses.
Is eggshell darker than ivory?+
Yes. Eggshell is darker, with a lightness of 89% in HSL compared to Ivory at 97% — a 8-point gap.
Are eggshell and ivory the same color?+
No. Eggshell is #F0EAD6 and Ivory is #FFFFF0. They differ by 14° in hue, 8% in lightness, and 54% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, eggshell or ivory?+
Ivory is more saturated. In HSL, Eggshell has 46% saturation and Ivory has 100% — Ivory is the more vivid of the two, while Eggshell reads as more muted.
Is eggshell warm or cool?+
Eggshell (#F0EAD6) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 46° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Is ivory warm or cool?+
Ivory (#FFFFF0) is a cool-leaning off-white. Its hue sits at 60° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Can you use eggshell and ivory together?+
Yes. Eggshell (yellow) and Ivory (off-white) 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 eggshell belong to?+
Eggshell belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 46°, 46%, 89% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
What is the hex code for eggshell?+
The hex code for Eggshell is #F0EAD6. In RGB, that's rgb(240, 234, 214), and in HSL it's hsl(46, 46%, 89%).
What is the hex code for ivory?+
The hex code for Ivory is #FFFFF0. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 255, 240), and in HSL it's hsl(60, 100%, 97%).