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Goldenrod vs Mustard: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Goldenrod and Mustard is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard is lighter and Mustard is more saturated. Goldenrod (#DAA520) has an HSL of 43°, 74%, 49%, whereas Mustard (#FFDB58) sits at 47°, 100%, 67%.

Goldenrod#DAA520
Mustard#FFDB58
#DAA520Blended: #EDC03C#FFDB58

Goldenrod vs Mustard: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Goldenrod Mustard
BrightnessMedium (L=49%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=67%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationVivid (S=74%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowYellow
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#DAA520#FFDB58
RGB218, 165, 32255, 219, 88

Can you use Goldenrod and Mustard together?

Mustard text on Goldenrod
Goldenrod text on Mustard
Contrast Ratio:1.65:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Goldenrod 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 Goldenrod vs Mustard in Design

Use Goldenrod 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

Goldenrod and Mustard Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Goldenrod#DAA520

Goldenrod (#DAA520) is a medium, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
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.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Goldenrod 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
Goldenrod text on white
2.24:1Fail
Sample text preview
Goldenrod text on black
9.38:1AAA
Sample text preview
Mustard text on white
1.35:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on black
15.53:1AAA
Sample text preview
Goldenrod text on Mustard
1.65:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on Goldenrod
1.65:1Fail

Explore Goldenrod and Mustard individually

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

Goldenrod color page#DAA520 · shades, tints, pairingsMustard color page#FFDB58 · shades, tints, pairings

More Goldenrod and Mustard Comparisons

Goldenrod vs Mustard FAQ

What is the difference between goldenrod and mustard?+
The main difference between Goldenrod and Mustard is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Mustard is lighter and Mustard is more saturated. Goldenrod (#DAA520) has an HSL of 43°, 74%, 49%, whereas Mustard (#FFDB58) sits at 47°, 100%, 67%.
Is goldenrod darker than mustard?+
Yes. Goldenrod is darker, with a lightness of 49% in HSL compared to Mustard at 67% — a 18-point gap.
Are goldenrod and mustard the same color?+
No. Goldenrod is #DAA520 and Mustard is #FFDB58. They differ by 4° in hue, 18% in lightness, and 26% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, goldenrod or mustard?+
Mustard is more saturated. In HSL, Goldenrod has 74% saturation and Mustard has 100% — Mustard is the more vivid of the two, while Goldenrod reads as more muted.
Is goldenrod warm or cool?+
Goldenrod (#DAA520) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 43° 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 goldenrod and mustard together?+
Yes. Both goldenrod and mustard are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use goldenrod as the dominant color and mustard as the accent or highlight.
What color family does goldenrod belong to?+
Goldenrod belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 43°, 74%, 49% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
What is the hex code for goldenrod?+
The hex code for Goldenrod is #DAA520. In RGB, that's rgb(218, 165, 32), and in HSL it's hsl(43, 74%, 49%).
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%).