Yellow Color Names
Yellow is the brightest color the human eye perceives, and its names tend to be just as sunny: flowers (daffodil, buttercup), fruit (lemon, banana), spices (saffron, mustard) and precious things (gold, amber). This list collects more than 90 yellow color names, from pale creams to deep ochres, with an approximate hex code for each.
Brand and paint versions of the same name vary, so use the hex values as a starting point. You’ll find the rest of the rainbow on our color names hub, warmer neighbors among orange color names, and golden baby names in names that mean gold and names that mean sun.
Bright and true yellow shades
These are the loud, happy yellows closest to pure #FFFF00 — the color of highlighters, taxis and caution signs.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Yellow | #FFFF00 | The digital primary; red and green light at full strength |
| Lemon | #FFF700 | Sharp, slightly green-tinged yellow of lemon peel |
| Canary | #FFEF00 | Vivid yellow of the domestic canary |
| Electric Yellow | #FFFF33 | Neon-bright, almost glowing yellow |
| Taxi Yellow | #F7B500 | Warm, deep yellow of New York cabs |
| School Bus Yellow | #FFD800 | The standardized U.S. school bus color |
| Highlighter | #F4F90E | Fluorescent marker yellow |
| Sunshine | #FFFD37 | Clear midday-sun yellow |
| Cadmium Yellow | #FFF600 | Strong, opaque artist pigment |
| Chrome Yellow | #FFA700 | Warm pigment favored by Van Gogh |
| Hansa Yellow | #E9D66B | Modern transparent pigment |
| Cyber Yellow | #FFD300 | Punchy, slightly orange digital yellow |
| Safety Yellow | #EED202 | High-visibility warning color |
| Rubber Duck | #FFD700 | The bath-toy classic |
| Bumblebee | #FCE205 | Striped-insect yellow |
Soft and pastel yellow color names
Pale yellows feel calm and friendly. They’re popular for nurseries, kitchens and spring branding.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | #FFFD74 | Creamy, softened yellow |
| Buttercup | #F9E154 | Glossy wildflower yellow |
| Banana | #FFE135 | Ripe banana peel |
| Pale Yellow | #FFFF99 | Light, airy yellow |
| Light Goldenrod | #FAFAD2 | Very pale CSS yellow (“lightgoldenrodyellow”) |
| Lemon Chiffon | #FFFACD | Pale lemony cream; a named CSS color |
| Cream Yellow | #F3E5AB | Rich cream with yellow warmth |
| Custard | #FFF4A3 | Egg-custard yellow |
| Primrose | #EDEA99 | Pale spring-flower yellow |
| Daffodil | #FFFF31 | Cheerful yellow of daffodil trumpets |
| Chamomile | #E8D0A9 | Soft, tea-tinged yellow |
| Straw | #E4D96F | Dry wheat-straw yellow |
| Blonde | #FAF0BE | Light golden hair color |
| Flax | #EEDC82 | Fiber-plant yellow |
| Vanilla Custard | #F3E0BE | Pale dessert yellow |
| Lemon Meringue | #F6EABE | Pie-filling yellow softened with white |
| Pineapple | #FEEA63 | Juicy, fruity yellow |
| Popcorn | #F8DE7E | Buttered-popcorn yellow |
Golden and warm yellow shades
Add a little red and yellow turns rich and luxurious. These shades are named for metals, grains and honey.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | #FFD700 | The classic metallic yellow; a named CSS color |
| Golden Yellow | #FFDF00 | Bright, warm gold |
| Goldenrod | #DAA520 | Named after the late-summer goldenrod flower |
| Dark Goldenrod | #B8860B | Deep, brassy CSS color |
| Honey | #EBA937 | Warm, amber-yellow of honey |
| Marigold | #EAA221 | Orange-yellow of marigold blooms |
| Sunflower | #FFDA03 | Bold petal yellow of sunflowers |
| Saffron | #F4C430 | Precious spice yellow from crocus threads |
| Maize | #FBEC5D | Yellow of ripe corn |
| Corn | #E4CD05 | Sweet-corn kernel yellow |
| Amber | #FFBF00 | Fossil-resin yellow with orange warmth |
| Citrine | #E4D00A | Yellow gemstone quartz |
| Topaz | #FFC87C | Soft golden gemstone tone |
| Brass | #B5A642 | Dull metallic yellow |
| Harvest Gold | #DA9100 | Popular 1970s appliance color |
| Old Gold | #CFB53B | Muted, antique gold |
| Golden Wheat | #F5DEB3 | Pale grain (CSS “wheat”) |
| Aureolin | #FDEE00 | Cobalt yellow pigment; Latin <em>aureolus</em>, “golden” |
| Naples Yellow | #FADA5E | Historic lead-antimony pigment |
| Egg Yolk | #FFC30B | Rich orange-yellow of a yolk |
Earthy, mustard and ochre yellows
Muted yellows have a touch of brown or green. They’re especially popular in fall fashion and mid-century interiors.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Mustard | #FFDB58 | Classic yellow mustard |
| Dijon | #C49102 | Deeper, browner mustard |
| Ochre | #CC7722 | Iron-rich clay pigment used since prehistory |
| Yellow Ochre | #CB9D06 | Earthy golden pigment |
| Raw Sienna | #D68A59 | Tuscan earth pigment, yellow-brown |
| Turmeric | #E3A018 | Golden-orange root spice |
| Curry | #D6A01E | Spiced, warm yellow |
| Tuscan Sun | #F8D568 | Warm Mediterranean yellow |
| Khaki | #F0E68C | Pale sand-yellow; a named CSS color |
| Dark Khaki | #BDB76B | Olive-tinged yellow; a named CSS color |
| Olive Yellow | #B5B35C | Greenish, muted yellow |
| Sand | #C2B280 | Dry beach yellow-beige |
| Bamboo | #D6B35A | Deep, dried bamboo gold |
| Butterscotch | #E3963E | Caramelized sugar yellow |
| Hay | #D8C06A | Dry field grass |
| Antique Brass | #CD9575 | Aged, warm metal |
| Tawny Gold | #C9A227 | Lion-coat gold |
Green-yellow and citrus shades
Push yellow toward green and you get zesty, modern shades that bridge into our green color names.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Chartreuse | #DFFF00 | Named after the French herbal liqueur |
| Lime Yellow | #E3FF00 | Zingy, fresh lime |
| Pear | #D1E231 | Ripe green-yellow pear skin |
| Acid Yellow | #E5F200 | Sharp, slightly sour yellow |
| Key Lime | #E8F48C | Pale pie-filling yellow-green |
| Citron | #9FA91F | Muted yellow-green of the citron fruit |
| Mimosa | #F0C05A | Fluffy yellow mimosa blossoms |
| Pollen | #F5DE50 | Dusty flower-pollen yellow |
| Canary Green | #D4E157 | Yellow with a leafy hint |
| Wasabi | #AFD77F | Green-yellow of the Japanese condiment |
| Greenish Gold | #C9B81A | Metallic yellow with a green cast |
| Jonquil | #F4CA16 | Yellow of the jonquil narcissus |
Poetic and descriptive yellow names
Paint brands love evocative names. These don’t map to one official hex, but the approximations below capture the mood.
| Shade | Approx. hex | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Sun | #FFE55C | Soft early-day yellow |
| Golden Hour | #F5C04A | The warm light just before sunset |
| Firefly | #F8E473 | Glowing, gentle yellow |
| Candle Glow | #FBD87F | Warm flame yellow |
| Lemonade | #F8F1A6 | Pale, cloudy lemon |
| Sunbeam | #FFE875 | A ray of light through a window |
| Honeycomb | #E9AD3F | Waxy, golden cell yellow |
| Dandelion | #F0E130 | Bright weed-flower yellow |
| Goldfinch | #F5D300 | Yellow of the American goldfinch |
| Yellow Rose | #FFF000 | Symbol of friendship and Texas song |
Tips for using yellow shades
- Pale yellows are easiest on walls. Bright yellow can feel overwhelming in large doses; Butter or Chamomile keep the cheer without the glare.
- Mind readability. Yellow text on white is almost unreadable. Pair yellow with charcoal or navy for strong contrast.
- Mustard and ochre are the grown-up yellows. They pair beautifully with navy, olive, rust and cream.
- Use golden shades for “premium.” Gold, Old Gold and Brass signal luxury in logos and packaging.
- Borrow a shade as a name. Saffron, Honey, Goldie and Maize suit golden retriever names and yellow budgie names alike.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different shades of yellow called?
Named yellows include lemon, canary, butter, banana, daffodil, gold, goldenrod, mustard, saffron, amber, maize, ochre, chartreuse, citrine and honey.
What is the difference between mustard and ochre?
Mustard is a muted yellow with a slight green-brown cast, while ochre is an earth pigment that leans more orange-brown.
What is the hex code for pure yellow?
Pure digital yellow is #FFFF00. Printed “process yellow” in CMYK looks slightly warmer on screen, near #FFED00.
What yellow is closest to gold?
Gold (#FFD700), Golden Yellow, Goldenrod and Old Gold are the yellows most people read as gold. True metallic gold needs shine, which a flat hex can only suggest.
What does the color yellow symbolize?
In Western cultures yellow usually stands for happiness, optimism and caution. In imperial China, bright yellow was reserved for the emperor.