Shades of Mustard: Names and Hex Codes
This is a practical reference for the most useful shades of mustard, with accurate hex codes, RGB values, and notes on character and use. Mustard is a warm, slightly muted yellow named after the condiment — deeper and earthier than primary yellow, but brighter and more golden than ochre. Small shifts toward brown, orange, or green turn it from a cheerful honey-yellow into a deep antique gold or a dusty olive-mustard, so the right mustard depends entirely on the mood you want. Use the table below as a citable palette, then read on for how the shades group together.
For how mustard compares with its close relatives, see mustard vs yellow and mustard vs amber; for the symbolism, read color psychology. The warm earthy reds that pair with it are covered in our shades of terracotta reference.
Shades of mustard: full table
| Shade name | Hex | RGB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard | #FFDB58 | 255, 219, 88 | Bright honeyed yellow baseline. |
| Dijon | #C49102 | 196, 145, 2 | Deep golden condiment-mustard. |
| Golden Mustard | #D4A017 | 212, 160, 23 | Rich warm golden mustard. |
| Dark Mustard | #AD8500 | 173, 133, 0 | Deep antique mustard-gold. |
| Honey Mustard | #D9A441 | 217, 164, 65 | Warm honey-toned mustard. |
| Brown Mustard | #7E5E15 | 126, 94, 21 | Deep brown-leaning mustard. |
| Bright Mustard | #E1AD21 | 225, 173, 33 | Vivid saturated mustard. |
| Old Gold | #CC9900 | 204, 153, 0 | Antique gold-mustard. |
| Soft Mustard | #E3B448 | 227, 180, 72 | Gentle muted mustard. |
| Dark Goldenrod | #B8860B | 184, 134, 11 | CSS darkgoldenrod; deep gold. |
| Olive Mustard | #9C7A1A | 156, 122, 26 | Green-leaning earthy mustard. |
| Pale Mustard | #F0C75E | 240, 199, 94 | Light buttery mustard. |
| Goldenrod | #DAA520 | 218, 165, 32 | CSS goldenrod; classic mustard-gold. |
| Deep Mustard | #8B6914 | 139, 105, 20 | Dark earthy mustard. |
| Sunflower Mustard | #E8B923 | 232, 185, 35 | Vivid sunflower-yellow mustard. |
| Antique Mustard | #C5A03C | 197, 160, 60 | Muted vintage mustard. |
| Mustard Brown | #6F5310 | 111, 83, 16 | Deepest brown-mustard. |
| Spiced Mustard | #EAC04D | 234, 192, 77 | Warm spiced golden mustard. |
| Amber Mustard | #B5912A | 181, 145, 42 | Amber-leaning warm mustard. |
| Vivid Mustard | #FFCE3A | 255, 206, 58 | Bright punchy mustard. |
| Mustard Olive | #7C6A0F | 124, 106, 15 | Dark olive-mustard. |
| Harvest Mustard | #D2A93C | 210, 169, 60 | Autumnal warm mustard. |
| Mustard Black | #5C4708 | 92, 71, 8 | Near-black deepest mustard. |
| Mustard Cream | #F2D279 | 242, 210, 121 | Pale creamy mustard tint. |
| Turmeric Mustard | #C9A33B | 201, 163, 59 | Warm spice-toned mustard. |
| Ochre Mustard | #A48613 | 164, 134, 19 | Deep earthy ochre-mustard. |
Bright and honeyed mustards
The lightest mustards read as cheerful and warm. Mustard (#FFDB58), Vivid Mustard (#FFCE3A), Bright Mustard (#E1AD21), Sunflower Mustard (#E8B923), and Pale Mustard (#F0C75E) are the punchy, high-saturation yellows that feel sunny and retro. The named Mustard at #FFDB58 is the bright baseline most people picture — vivid enough to pop yet warm enough to read as mustard rather than lemon. These bright mustards are popular accents in mid-century and editorial palettes, but they overwhelm large flat areas, so use them sparingly. For where mustard separates from a true yellow, see mustard vs yellow.
Classic golden mustards
The defining mustards sit in rich golden territory. Dijon (#C49102), Golden Mustard (#D4A017), Goldenrod (#DAA520), Old Gold (#CC9900), and Honey Mustard (#D9A441) are the warm, gold-leaning tones that feel grounded and slightly luxurious. Dijon in particular reads as the authentic condiment color — deep, earthy, and unmistakably mustard. Spice-leaning variants such as Turmeric Mustard (#C9A33B) and Ochre Mustard (#A48613) deepen the earthiness for food and heritage branding. These golden mustards are the workhorses of autumnal and heritage palettes, anchoring branding that wants warmth without brashness, and they hold up far better than bright yellow across large areas because their lower lightness keeps them from glaring on screen or in print.
Deep and brown mustards
The richest mustards go dark and earthy. Dark Mustard (#AD8500), Brown Mustard (#7E5E15), Deep Mustard (#8B6914), Mustard Brown (#6F5310), and Mustard Black (#5C4708) are the deep, antique tones that read as vintage and substantial. These brown-leaning mustards work as anchors, headers, and rich backgrounds where a bright mustard would feel too loud, pairing beautifully with cream, terracotta, and deep teal for a moody, earthy scheme. Used as a large flat fill, a deep mustard reads almost like a warm neutral, which makes it a strong alternative to brown when you want earthiness with a little more glow.
Olive and amber-leaning mustards
Mustard tilts in two directions from its golden center. Push it toward green and you get Olive Mustard (#9C7A1A), Mustard Olive (#7C6A0F), and Antique Mustard (#C5A03C), which feel dustier and more vintage. Push it toward orange and you reach Amber Mustard (#B5912A), Harvest Mustard (#D2A93C), and Spiced Mustard (#EAC04D), which feel warmer and more autumnal. The amber end borders on true amber — for where that line falls, see mustard vs amber.
Most popular shades of mustard
The mustards most people name and use are Mustard (#FFDB58) as the bright baseline, Dijon (#C49102) for an authentic deep gold, Golden Mustard (#D4A017) for a rich warm tone, Dark Mustard (#AD8500) for a deep anchor, and Honey Mustard (#D9A441) for a soft honeyed option. Together they cover bright through golden to deep, which is why they anchor most warm, retro-leaning palettes.
How to use shades of mustard in design
Mustard signals warmth, optimism, and vintage character, so it lifts palettes that want energy without the intensity of pure yellow. Use bright mustards like Mustard and Vivid Mustard sparingly as accents and highlights; use golden mustards like Dijon and Goldenrod as the primary warm color; and reserve deep mustards like Dark Mustard and Brown Mustard for anchors and grounded backgrounds. Mustard pairs beautifully with teal, navy, terracotta, sage, and cream, evoking retro warmth and earthy sophistication. The main risk is that mustard can read as dingy against the wrong neutral, so anchor it with a clean cream or a cool blue rather than beige. A reliable approach treats a deep mustard as your anchor, a golden mustard as the primary, and a bright mustard as a single sharp accent. Because mustard reads as warm and nostalgic, it suits food, lifestyle, and heritage brands particularly well. When you need mustard to feel modern rather than dated, pair a single bright mustard accent with crisp white and one cool neutral, and let the mustard carry the warmth alone rather than stacking it with beige and brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for mustard?
The most common hex code for mustard is #FFDB58 (RGB 255, 219, 88), a bright honeyed yellow. For a deeper, more authentic condiment tone use Dijon (#C49102), for a rich gold use Golden Mustard (#D4A017), and for a dark earthy version use Dark Mustard (#AD8500). Mustard is defined by its warm, slightly muted golden character.
What is the difference between mustard and yellow?
Mustard is a darker, warmer, more muted yellow with brown and gold undertones, while pure yellow is brighter, cleaner, and more saturated. Mustard reads as earthy and vintage; yellow reads as fresh and energetic. The two meet in the brightest mustards, but mustard always carries more depth and warmth.
How many shades of mustard are there?
Mustard variations are effectively limitless because mustard spans the golden-yellow band into brown and olive, but designers typically reference 20 to 30 named shades. This list includes 24 of the most recognized, from bright honeyed mustards through classic golds to deep brown and olive-mustard tones.
What colors go well with mustard?
Mustard pairs naturally with teal, navy, terracotta, and cream for a warm, retro palette. For high contrast, combine mustard with deep blue or charcoal. Golden and honey mustards also work alongside sage green and dusty pink for an earthy, autumnal scheme.
