Gold vs Mustard Yellow: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Gold and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Gold is lighter. Gold (#FFD700) has an HSL of 51°, 100%, 50%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.

Gold#FFD700

Mustard Yellow#E1AD01

#FFD700Blended: #F0C201#E1AD01

Gold vs Mustard Yellow: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Gold Mustard Yellow

BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=44%) — balanced, versatile

SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=99%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching

Hue familyYellowYellow

TemperatureWarmWarm

Hex code#FFD700#E1AD01

RGB255, 215, 0225, 173, 1

Can you use Gold and Mustard Yellow together?

Mustard Yellow text on Gold

Gold text on Mustard Yellow

Contrast Ratio:1.47:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Gold and Mustard Yellow Apart

●These two are very close numerically. Place them side-by-side on a neutral background to spot the subtle undertone difference.
●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Gold vs Mustard Yellow in Design

Use Gold 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

Gold and Mustard Yellow Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Gold#FFD700

Gold (#FFD700) 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

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

Gold 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

Gold text on white

1.4:1Fail

Sample text preview

Gold text on black

14.97:1AAA

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

Gold text on Mustard Yellow

1.47:1Fail

Sample text preview

Mustard Yellow text on Gold

1.47:1Fail

Explore Gold and Mustard Yellow individually

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

Gold color page#FFD700 · shades, tints, pairings Mustard Yellow color page#E1AD01 · shades, tints, pairings

More Gold and Mustard Yellow Comparisons

Gold vs Mustard Yellow FAQ

What is the difference between gold and mustard yellow?+

The main difference between Gold and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Gold is lighter. Gold (#FFD700) has an HSL of 51°, 100%, 50%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.

Is gold darker than mustard yellow?+

No. Mustard Yellow is the darker of the two at 44% lightness, while Gold sits higher at 50%.

Are gold and mustard yellow the same color?+

No. Gold is #FFD700 and Mustard Yellow is #E1AD01. They differ by 5° in hue, 6% in lightness, and 1% in saturation.

Which is more saturated, gold or mustard yellow?+

They have nearly identical saturation — Gold at 100% and Mustard Yellow at 99% in HSL.

Is gold warm or cool?+

Gold (#FFD700) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 51° 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 gold and mustard yellow together?+

Yes. Both gold and mustard yellow are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use mustard yellow as the dominant color and gold as the accent or highlight.

What color family does gold belong to?+

Gold belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 51°, 100%, 50% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.

What is the hex code for gold?+

The hex code for Gold is #FFD700. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 215, 0), and in HSL it's hsl(51, 100%, 50%).

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%).