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Mustard vs Cream: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Mustard and Cream is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Cream is lighter. Mustard (#FFDB58) has an HSL of 47°, 100%, 67%, whereas Cream (#FFFDD0) sits at 57°, 100%, 91%.

Mustard#FFDB58
Cream#FFFDD0
#FFDB58Blended: #FFEC94#FFFDD0

Mustard vs Cream: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Mustard Cream
BrightnessLight (L=67%) — airy, soft, approachableVery light (L=91%) — pale, delicate, gentle
SaturationVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=100%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowYellow
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#FFDB58#FFFDD0
RGB255, 219, 88255, 253, 208

Can you use Mustard and Cream together?

Cream text on Mustard
Mustard text on Cream
Contrast Ratio:1.30:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Mustard and Cream Apart

  • ●Look at lightness first: Cream is noticeably lighter.
  • ●Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 10° between them, which changes the perceived temperature.
  • ●Compare them on a white background to see true saturation, and on black to see true lightness.

When to Use Mustard vs Cream in Design

Use Mustard for:
●Warning states & highlights
●Children's and summer themes
●Happy, optimistic branding
●Taxi, logistics, signage
●Accent color in palettes
Use Cream for:
●Warning states & highlights
●Children's and summer themes
●Happy, optimistic branding
●Taxi, logistics, signage
●Accent color in palettes

Mustard and Cream Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

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
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HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Cream#FFFDD0

Cream (#FFFDD0) is a very light, vivid yellow with a warm undertone — it feels pale, delicate, gentle and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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Mustard and Cream 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
Mustard text on white
1.35:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard text on black
15.53:1AAA
Sample text preview
Cream text on white
1.04:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cream text on black
20.21:1AAA
Sample text preview
Mustard text on Cream
1.3:1Fail
Sample text preview
Cream text on Mustard
1.3:1Fail

Explore Mustard and Cream individually

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

Mustard color page#FFDB58 · shades, tints, pairingsCream color page#FFFDD0 · shades, tints, pairings

More Mustard and Cream Comparisons

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Mustard vs Cream FAQ

What is the difference between mustard and cream?+
The main difference between Mustard and Cream is brightness and saturation: both are yellow shades, but Cream is lighter. Mustard (#FFDB58) has an HSL of 47°, 100%, 67%, whereas Cream (#FFFDD0) sits at 57°, 100%, 91%.
Is mustard darker than cream?+
Yes. Mustard is darker, with a lightness of 67% in HSL compared to Cream at 91% — a 24-point gap.
Are mustard and cream the same color?+
No. Mustard is #FFDB58 and Cream is #FFFDD0. They differ by 10° in hue, 24% in lightness, and 0% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, mustard or cream?+
They have nearly identical saturation — Mustard at 100% and Cream at 100% in HSL.
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.
Is cream warm or cool?+
Cream (#FFFDD0) is a warm yellow. Its hue sits at 57° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use mustard and cream together?+
Yes. Both mustard and cream are yellow shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use mustard as the dominant color and cream as the accent or highlight.
What color family does mustard belong to?+
Mustard belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 47°, 100%, 67% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
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%).
What is the hex code for cream?+
The hex code for Cream is #FFFDD0. In RGB, that's rgb(255, 253, 208), and in HSL it's hsl(57, 100%, 91%).