Home /Compare /Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow

Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Goldenrod is lighter and Mustard Yellow is more saturated. Goldenrod (#DAA520) has an HSL of 43°, 74%, 49%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.

Goldenrod#DAA520
Mustard Yellow#E1AD01
#DAA520Blended: #DEA911#E1AD01

Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Goldenrod Mustard Yellow
BrightnessMedium (L=49%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=44%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=74%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=99%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowYellow
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#DAA520#E1AD01
RGB218, 165, 32225, 173, 1

Can you use Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow together?

Mustard Yellow text on Goldenrod
Goldenrod text on Mustard Yellow
Contrast Ratio:1.08:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow Apart

  • Check saturation: Mustard Yellow 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 Yellow 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 Yellow for:
Warning states & highlights
Children's and summer themes
Happy, optimistic branding
Taxi, logistics, signage
Accent color in palettes

Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow 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
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

Goldenrod 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
Goldenrod text on white
2.24:1Fail
Sample text preview
Goldenrod text on black
9.38:1AAA
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
Goldenrod text on Mustard Yellow
1.08:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on Goldenrod
1.08:1Fail

Explore Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow individually

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

Goldenrod color page#DAA520 · shades, tints, pairingsMustard Yellow color page#E1AD01 · shades, tints, pairings

More Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow Comparisons

Goldenrod vs Mustard Yellow FAQ

What is the difference between goldenrod and mustard yellow?+
The main difference between Goldenrod and Mustard Yellow is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Goldenrod is lighter and Mustard Yellow is more saturated. Goldenrod (#DAA520) has an HSL of 43°, 74%, 49%, whereas Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) sits at 46°, 99%, 44%.
Is goldenrod darker than mustard yellow?+
No. Mustard Yellow is the darker of the two at 44% lightness, while Goldenrod sits higher at 49%.
Are goldenrod and mustard yellow the same color?+
No. Goldenrod is #DAA520 and Mustard Yellow is #E1AD01. They differ by 3° in hue, 5% in lightness, and 25% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, goldenrod or mustard yellow?+
Mustard Yellow is more saturated. In HSL, Goldenrod has 74% saturation and Mustard Yellow has 99% — Mustard Yellow 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 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 goldenrod and mustard yellow together?+
Yes. Both goldenrod and mustard yellow are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use mustard yellow as the dominant color and goldenrod 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 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%).