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

The main difference between Yellow Green and Sage Green is brightness and saturation: both are yellow-green shades, but Sage Green is lighter and Yellow Green is more saturated. Yellow Green (#9ACD32) has an HSL of 80°, 61%, 50%, whereas Sage Green (#9CAF88) sits at 89°, 20%, 61%.

Yellow Green#9ACD32
Sage Green#9CAF88
#9ACD32Blended: #9BBE5D#9CAF88

Yellow Green vs Sage Green: Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect Yellow Green Sage Green
BrightnessMedium (L=50%) — balanced, versatileLight (L=61%) — airy, soft, approachable
SaturationModerately saturated (S=61%) — balanced in intensityMuted (S=20%) — subdued, sophisticated
Hue familyYellow-greenYellow-green
TemperatureCool-leaningCool-leaning
Hex code#9ACD32#9CAF88
RGB154, 205, 50156, 175, 136

Can you use Yellow Green and Sage Green together?

Sage Green text on Yellow Green
Yellow Green text on Sage Green
Contrast Ratio:1.25:1Insufficient Contrast

How to Tell Yellow Green and Sage Green Apart

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

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

Yellow Green and Sage Green Hex Codes, RGB & HSL

Yellow Green#9ACD32

Yellow Green (#9ACD32) is a medium, moderately saturated yellow-green with a cool-leaning undertone — it feels balanced, versatile and balanced in intensity.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
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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.

HEX
RGB
HSL
HSV
CMYK
PANTONE
Shades
Tints

Yellow Green and Sage 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
Yellow Green text on white
1.88:1Fail
Sample text preview
Yellow Green text on black
11.15:1AAA
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
Yellow Green text on Sage Green
1.25:1Fail
Sample text preview
Sage Green text on Yellow Green
1.25:1Fail

Explore Yellow Green and Sage Green individually

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

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

More Yellow Green and Sage Green Comparisons

Yellow Green vs Sage Green FAQ

What is the difference between yellow green and sage green?+
The main difference between Yellow Green and Sage Green is brightness and saturation: both are yellow-green shades, but Sage Green is lighter and Yellow Green is more saturated. Yellow Green (#9ACD32) has an HSL of 80°, 61%, 50%, whereas Sage Green (#9CAF88) sits at 89°, 20%, 61%.
Is yellow green darker than sage green?+
Yes. Yellow Green is darker, with a lightness of 50% in HSL compared to Sage Green at 61% — a 11-point gap.
Are yellow green and sage green the same color?+
No. Yellow Green is #9ACD32 and Sage Green is #9CAF88. They differ by 9° in hue, 11% in lightness, and 41% in saturation.
Which is more saturated, yellow green or sage green?+
Yellow Green is more saturated. In HSL, Yellow Green has 61% saturation and Sage Green has 20% — Yellow Green is the more vivid of the two, while Sage Green reads as more muted.
Is yellow green warm or cool?+
Yellow Green (#9ACD32) is a cool-leaning yellow-green. Its hue sits at 80° on the color wheel, which places it in the cool-leaning range.
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.
Can you use yellow green and sage green together?+
Yes. Both yellow green and sage green are yellow-green shades, so they pair naturally in a monochromatic palette. Use yellow green as the dominant color and sage green as the accent or highlight.
What color family does yellow green belong to?+
Yellow Green belongs to the yellow-green family. Its HSL is 80°, 61%, 50% — a cool-leaning tone within the broader yellow-green group.
What is the hex code for yellow green?+
The hex code for Yellow Green is #9ACD32. In RGB, that's rgb(154, 205, 50), and in HSL it's hsl(80, 61%, 50%).
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%).