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Sage Green vs Olive Green: What's the Difference?

The main difference between Sage Green and Olive Green is brightness and saturation: both are yellow-green shades, but Sage Green is lighter and Olive Green is more saturated. Sage Green (#9CAF88) has an HSL of 89°, 20%, 61%, whereas Olive Green (#6B8E23) sits at 80°, 60%, 35%.

Sage Green#9CAF88
Olive Green#6B8E23
#9CAF88Blended: #849F56#6B8E23

Sage Green vs Olive Green: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Sage Green Olive Green
BrightnessLight (L=61%) — airy, soft, approachableDark (L=35%) — rich, serious, substantial
SaturationMuted (S=20%) — subdued, sophisticatedModerately saturated (S=60%) — balanced in intensity
Hue familyYellow-greenYellow-green
TemperatureCool-leaningCool-leaning
Hex code#9CAF88#6B8E23
RGB156, 175, 136107, 142, 35

Can you use Sage Green and Olive Green together?

Olive Green text on Sage Green
Sage Green text on Olive Green
Contrast Ratio:1.61:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Sage Green and Olive Green Apart

  • Look at lightness first: Sage Green is noticeably lighter.
  • Check saturation: Olive Green 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 Sage Green vs Olive Green in Design

Use Sage Green for:
Fresh, natural, organic brands
Spring and growth themes
Juice and produce packaging
Eco-conscious products
Wellness and lifestyle
Use Olive Green for:
Fresh, natural, organic brands
Spring and growth themes
Juice and produce packaging
Eco-conscious products
Wellness and lifestyle

Sage Green and Olive Green Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Sage Green#9CAF88

Sage Green (#9CAF88) is a light, muted yellow-green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels airy, soft, approachable and subdued, sophisticated.

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Olive Green#6B8E23

Olive Green (#6B8E23) is a dark, moderately saturated yellow-green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels rich, serious, substantial and balanced in intensity.

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Sage Green and Olive Green 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
Sage Green text on white
2.36:1Fail
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on black
8.9:1AAA
Sample text preview
Olive Green text on white
3.81:1AA Large
Sample text preview
Olive Green text on black
5.52:1AA
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on Olive Green
1.61:1Fail
Sample text preview
Olive Green text on Sage Green
1.61:1Fail

Explore Sage Green and Olive Green individually

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

Sage Green color page#9CAF88 · shades, tints, pairingsOlive Green color page#6B8E23 · shades, tints, pairings

More Sage Green and Olive Green Comparisons

Sage Green vs Olive Green FAQ

What is the difference between sage green and olive green?+
The main difference between Sage Green and Olive Green is brightness and saturation: both are yellow-green shades, but Sage Green is lighter and Olive Green is more saturated. Sage Green (#9CAF88) has an HSL of 89°, 20%, 61%, whereas Olive Green (#6B8E23) sits at 80°, 60%, 35%.
Is sage green darker than olive green?+
No. Olive Green is the darker of the two at 35% lightness, while Sage Green sits higher at 61%.
Are sage green and olive green the same color?+
No. Sage Green is #9CAF88 and Olive Green is #6B8E23. They differ by 9° in hue, 26% in lightness, and 40% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, sage green or olive green?+
Olive Green is more saturated. In HSL, Sage Green has 20% saturation and Olive Green has 60% — Olive Green is the more vivid of the two, while Sage Green reads as more muted.
Is sage green warm or cool?+
Sage Green (#9CAF88) is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Its hue sits at 89° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Is olive green warm or cool?+
Olive Green (#6B8E23) is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Its hue sits at 80° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
Can you use sage green and olive green together?+
Yes. Both sage green and olive green are yellow-green shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use olive green as the dominant color and sage green as the accent or highlight.
What color family does sage green belong to?+
Sage Green belongs to the yellow-green family. Its HSL is 89°, 20%, 61% — a cool-leaning tone within the broader yellow-green group.
What is the hex code for sage green?+
The hex code for Sage Green is #9CAF88. In RGB, that's rgb(156, 175, 136), and in HSL it's hsl(89, 20%, 61%).
What is the hex code for olive green?+
The hex code for Olive Green is #6B8E23. In RGB, that's rgb(107, 142, 35), and in HSL it's hsl(80, 60%, 35%).