The main difference between Ivory and Ecru is hue — Ivory is a cool-leaning off-white, while Ecru is a warm yellow. Ivory and Ecru are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Ivory (#FFFFF0) and Ecru (#C2B280) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Four real design scenarios, with the recommended pick based on hue, saturation, and WCAG contrast.
Ivory is more saturated (100% HSL vs 35%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Ecru can feel washed out when printed small.
Ecru hits a 2.11:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Ivory only reaches 1.01:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.
Ecru 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.
Ecru is the more muted of the two (35% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Ivory's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.
Ivory (#FFFFF0) is a very light, vivid off-white with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.
Ecru (#C2B280) is a light, muted yellow with a warm undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and subdued, sophisticated.
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.
Each color has a dedicated page with shades, tints, CSS name, pairings, and color psychology.