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Mustard Yellow vs Ochre: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Mustard Yellow and Ochre is hue — Mustard Yellow is a warm yellow, while Ochre is a warm orange. Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) has an HSL of 46°, 99%, 44%, whereas Ochre (#CC7722) sits at 30°, 71%, 47%.

Mustard Yellow#E1AD01
Ochre#CC7722
#E1AD01Blended: #D79212#CC7722

Mustard Yellow vs Ochre: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Mustard Yellow Ochre
BrightnessMedium (L=44%) — balanced, versatileMedium (L=47%) — balanced, versatile
SaturationVivid (S=99%) — bright, energetic, eye-catchingVivid (S=71%) — bright, energetic, eye-catching
Hue familyYellowOrange
TemperatureWarmWarm
Hex code#E1AD01#CC7722
RGB225, 173, 1204, 119, 34

Can you use Mustard Yellow and Ochre together?

Ochre text on Mustard Yellow
Mustard Yellow text on Ochre
Contrast Ratio:1.63:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Mustard Yellow and Ochre Apart

  • Check saturation: Mustard Yellow looks more vivid and saturated.
  • Watch the undertone: the hue shifts 16° 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 Yellow vs Ochre in Design

Use Mustard Yellow for:
Warning states & highlights
Children's and summer themes
Happy, optimistic branding
Taxi, logistics, signage
Accent color in palettes
Use Ochre for:
Call-to-action buttons
Autumn and harvest themes
Food, citrus, warmth branding
Youthful energetic campaigns
Friendly notification badges

Mustard Yellow and Ochre Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

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
Ochre#CC7722

Ochre (#CC7722) is a medium, vivid orange with a warm undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and bright, energetic, eye-catching.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Mustard Yellow and Ochre 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 Yellow text on white
2.06:1Fail
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on black
10.18:1AAA
Sample text preview
Ochre text on white
3.37:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Ochre text on black
6.23:1AA
Sample text preview
Mustard Yellow text on Ochre
1.63:1Fail
Sample text preview
Ochre text on Mustard Yellow
1.63:1Fail

Explore Mustard Yellow and Ochre individually

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

Mustard Yellow color page#E1AD01 · shades, tints, pairingsOchre color page#CC7722 · shades, tints, pairings

More Mustard Yellow and Ochre Comparisons

Mustard Yellow vs Ochre FAQ

What is the difference between mustard yellow and ochre?+
The main difference between Mustard Yellow and Ochre is hue — Mustard Yellow is a warm yellow, while Ochre is a warm orange. Mustard Yellow (#E1AD01) has an HSL of 46°, 99%, 44%, whereas Ochre (#CC7722) sits at 30°, 71%, 47%.
Is mustard yellow darker than ochre?+
Yes. Mustard Yellow is darker, with a lightness of 44% in HSL compared to Ochre at 47% — a 3-point gap.
Are mustard yellow and ochre the same color?+
No. Mustard Yellow is #E1AD01 and Ochre is #CC7722. They differ by 16° in hue, 3% in lightness, and 28% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, mustard yellow or ochre?+
Mustard Yellow is more saturated. In HSL, Mustard Yellow has 99% saturation and Ochre has 71% — Mustard Yellow is the more vivid of the two, while Ochre reads as more muted.
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.
Is ochre warm or cool?+
Ochre (#CC7722) is a warm orange. Its hue sits at 30° on the color wheel, which places it in the warm range.
Can you use mustard yellow and ochre together?+
Yes. Mustard Yellow (yellow) and Ochre (orange) 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 mustard yellow belong to?+
Mustard Yellow belongs to the yellow family. Its HSL is 46°, 99%, 44% — a warm tone within the broader yellow group.
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%).
What is the hex code for ochre?+
The hex code for Ochre is #CC7722. In RGB, that's rgb(204, 119, 34), and in HSL it's hsl(30, 71%, 47%).