Home /Compare /Mulberry vs Plum

Mulberry vs Plum: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Mulberry and Plum is hue — Mulberry is a warm-leaning pink, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Mulberry and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Mulberry (#C54B8C) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.

Mulberry#C54B8C
Plum#DDA0DD
#C54B8CBlended: #D176B5#DDA0DD
ShareSave to PinterestTweet

Mulberry vs Plum: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Mulberry Plum
BrightnessMedium (L=53%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=75%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationModerately saturated (S=51%) — balanced in intensityModerately saturated (S=47%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyPinkMagenta
TemperatureWarm-leaningWarm-leaning
Hex code#C54B8C#DDA0DD
RGB197, 75, 140221, 160, 221

Can you use Mulberry and Plum together?

Plum text on Mulberry
Mulberry text on Plum
Contrast Ratio:2.13:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Mulberry and Plum Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Plum is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 28° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

Mulberry or Plum: Which to Use and Where

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

◆Branding & logos
PickMulberry

Mulberry is more saturated (51% HSL vs 47%) so it reads as bolder and more memorable at logo scale, while Plum can feel washed out when printed small.

▢Web UI & body text backgrounds
PickMulberry

Mulberry hits a 4.41:1 WCAG contrast against white — safer for text-heavy interfaces — where Plum only reaches 2.07:1 and risks failing AA at small body sizes.

⬡Fashion & apparel
PickPlum

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

▣Interior design & walls
PickPlum

Plum is the more muted of the two (47% saturation) and sits more calmly on large wall surfaces, while Mulberry's higher chroma can overwhelm a room when used beyond accent pieces.

When to Use Mulberry vs Plum in Design

Use Mulberry for:
●Soft feminine branding
●Beauty, skincare, romance
●Valentine's and weddings
●Youthful and playful design
●Gentle friendly UI accents
Use Plum for:
●Bold fashion and beauty
●Youthful music and events
●Pride and celebration
●Creative tech startups
●High-energy marketing

Mulberry and Plum Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Mulberry#C54B8C

Mulberry (#C54B8C) is a medium, moderately saturated pink with a warm-leaning undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints
Plum#DDA0DD

Plum (#DDA0DD) is a light, moderately saturated magenta with a warm-leaning undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Mulberry and Plum 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
Mulberry text on white
4.41:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Mulberry text on black
4.76:1AA
Sample text preview
Plum text on white
2.07:1Fail
Sample text preview
Plum text on black
10.15:1AAA
Sample text preview
Mulberry text on Plum
2.13:1Fail
Sample text preview
Plum text on Mulberry
2.13:1Fail

Explore Mulberry and Plum individually

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

Plum color page#DDA0DD · shades, tints, pairings

More Mulberry and Plum Comparisons

PlumvsMulberryMauvevsPlumPlumvsGrapeMulberryvsGrapeGrapevsPlumOrchidvsMulberryPlumvsLilacFuchsiavsMulberryPlumvsPurpleMagentavsMulberryPurplevsPlumHot PinkvsMulberry

Mulberry vs Plum FAQ

What is the difference between mulberry and plum?+
The main difference between Mulberry and Plum is hue — Mulberry is a warm-leaning pink, while Plum is a warm-leaning magenta. Mulberry and Plum are often confused but have distinct differences in hue, saturation, and tone. Mulberry (#C54B8C) and Plum (#DDA0DD) each suit different design contexts — understanding their differences helps you choose the right color for your project.
Is mulberry darker than plum?+
Yes. Mulberry is darker, with a lightness of 53% in HSL compared to Plum at 75% — a 22-point gap.
Are mulberry and plum the same color?+
No. Mulberry is #C54B8C and Plum is #DDA0DD. They differ by 28° in hue, 22% in lightness, and 4% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, mulberry or plum?+
Mulberry is more saturated. In HSL, Mulberry has 51% saturation and Plum has 47% — Mulberry is the more vivid of the two, while Plum reads as more muted.
Is mulberry warm or cool?+
Mulberry (#C54B8C) is a warm-leaning pink. Its hue sits at 328° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm-leaning range.
Is plum warm or cool?+
Plum (#DDA0DD) is a warm-leaning magenta. Its hue sits at 300° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm-leaning range.
Can you use mulberry and plum together?+
Yes. Mulberry (pink) and Plum (magenta) 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 mulberry belong to?+
Mulberry belongs to the pink family. Its HSL is 328°, 51%, 53% — a warm-leaning tone within the broader pink group.
What is the hex code for mulberry?+
The hex code for Mulberry is #C54B8C. In RGB, that's rgb(197, 75, 140), and in HSL it's hsl(328, 51%, 53%).
What is the hex code for plum?+
The hex code for Plum is #DDA0DD. In RGB, that's rgb(221, 160, 221), and in HSL it's hsl(300, 47%, 75%).