Shades of yellow

This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 30 October 2024.

Varieties of the color yellow may differ in hue, chroma (also called saturation, intensity, or colorfulness) or lightness (or value, tone, or brightness), or in two or three of these qualities. Variations in value are also called tints and shades, a tint being a yellow or other hue mixed with white, a shade being mixed with black. A large selection of these various colors is shown below.

Yellow
 
Wavelength570–580 nm
Common connotations
happiness, sunlight, cowardice, summer, Easter
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFFF00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 255, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(60°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(97, 107, 86°)
SourceHTML/CSS[1]
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Web colors

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Yellow (RGB) (X11 yellow) (color wheel yellow)

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Yellow (RGB) (X11 yellow)
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFFF00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 255, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(60°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(97, 107, 86°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid greenish yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)
 
Red, green and blue lights, representing the three basic additive primary colors of the RGB color system, red, green, and blue. Pure yellow light is composed of equal amount of red and green light.

The color box at right shows the most intense yellow representable in 8-bit RGB color model; yellow is a secondary color in an additive RGB space.

This color is also called color wheel yellow. It is at precisely 60 degrees on the HSV color wheel, also known as the RGB color wheel (Image of RGB color wheel:). Its complementary color is blue.

Yellow (CMYK) (process yellow) (canary yellow)

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Cyan, magenta, and yellow are the three subtractive primary colors used in printing.

Process yellow (also called pigment yellow or printer's yellow), also known as canary yellow, is one of the three colors typically used as subtractive primary colors, along with magenta and cyan. Canary yellow is derived from the colour of an average canary bird, though canaries can vary in colour from dark yellow to light pink.

Process yellow is not an RGB color, and in the CMYK color model there is no fixed conversion from CMYK primaries to RGB. Different formulations are used for printer's ink, so there can be variations in the printed color that is pure yellow ink.

The first recorded use of canary yellow as a color name in English was in 1789.[2]

Yellow (NCS) (psychological primary yellow)

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Yellow (NCS)
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFD300
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 211, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(50°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(86, 98, 67°)
SourcesRGB approximation to NCS 0580-Y[3]
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)
 
Approximations within the sRGB gamut to the primary colors of the Natural Color System, a model based on the opponent process theory of color vision.

The color defined as yellow in the NCS or Natural Color System is shown at right (NCS 0580-Y). The Natural Color System is a color system based on the four unique hues or psychological primary colors red, yellow, green, and blue. The NCS is based on the opponent process theory of vision.

The “Natural Color System” is widely used in Scandinavia.

Yellow (Munsell)

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Yellow (Munsell)
 
 
The hues of the Munsell color system, at varying values, and maximum chroma to stay in the sRGB gamut
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFDB00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 219, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(52°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(88, 99, 71°)
Sourcehttps://pteromys.melonisland.net/munsell/
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

The color defined as yellow in the Munsell color system (Munsell 5Y) is shown at apex of color wheel. The Munsell color system is a color space that specifies colors based on three color dimensions: hue, value (lightness), and chroma (color purity), spaced uniformly in three dimensions in the elongated oval at an angle shaped Munsell color solid according to the logarithmic scale which governs human perception. In order for all the colors to be spaced uniformly, it was found necessary to use a color wheel with five primary colors—red, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

The Munsell colors displayed are only approximate as they have been adjusted to fit into the sRGB gamut.

Yellow (Pantone)

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Yellow (Pantone)
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FEDF00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(254, 223, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(53°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(89, 99, 73°)
SourcePantone TPX[4]
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

The color that is called yellow in Pantone is displayed at right.

The source of this color is the "Pantone Textile Paper eXtended (TPX)" color list, color #C, EC, M, PC, U, or CP—Yellow.[5]

Tints of yellow

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Light yellow

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Light yellow
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFFFE0
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 255, 224)
HSV (h, s, v)(60°, 12%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(99, 23, 86°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorPale yellow green
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Displayed at right is the web color light yellow.

Cream

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Cream
 
 
Strawberries with cream
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFFFCC
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 255, 204)
HSV (h, s, v)(60°, 20%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(99, 37, 86°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorLight yellow green
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Displayed at right is the web color cream, a pale tint of yellow.

Lemon chiffon

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Lemon chiffon
 
 
A lemon chiffon cake
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFFACD
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 250, 205)
HSV (h, s, v)(54°, 20%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(98, 34, 81°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorPale greenish yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Displayed at right is the web color lemon chiffon.

Lemon chiffon is a color that is reminiscent of the color of lemon chiffon cake.

Additional definitions of yellow

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Lemon

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Lemon (Crayola)
 
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FDFF00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(253, 255, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(60°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(97, 107, 87°)
SourceCrayola
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid greenish yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Lemon is a color somewhat resembling yellow and named after the fruit. The color lemon is a representation of the color of the outer skin of a lemon.[citation needed]

The first recorded use of lemon as a color name in English was in 1598.[6]

Mellow yellow

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Mellow yellow
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#F8DE7E
sRGBB (r, g, b)(248, 222, 126)
HSV (h, s, v)(47°, 49%, 97%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(89, 68, 71°)
SourcePlochere
ISCC–NBS descriptorLight yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

The color mellow yellow is displayed at right.

Mellow yellow was first used as a color name in English in 1948 when it was formulated as one of the colors on the Plochere color list.

The source of this color is the Plochere Color System, a color system formulated in 1948 that is widely used by interior designers.[7]

Donovan's album Mellow Yellow, named after the song "Mellow Yellow", was popular during the Summer of Love in 1967.

Royal yellow

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Royal yellow
 
 
The Xuande Emperor of the Chinese Ming dynasty—reigned 1425 to 1435
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FADA5E
sRGBB (r, g, b)(250, 218, 94)
HSV (h, s, v)(48°, 62%, 98%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(88, 81, 70°)
SourceISCC-NBS
ISCC–NBS descriptorBrilliant yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

At right is displayed the color royal yellow.

The color royal yellow is a representation of the color of the robes worn by the Emperor of China.

The first recorded use of royal yellow as a color name in English was in 1548. Other names for this color are Chinese yellow and imperial yellow.[8]

Gold (golden)

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Gold (Golden)
 
 
A gold nugget
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFD700
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 215, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(51°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(87, 99, 69°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Gold, also called golden, is a yellow-orange color which is a representation of the color of the element gold.

The web color gold (also referred to as orange-yellow) is sometimes referred to as golden to distinguish it from the color metallic gold. The use of gold as a color term in traditional usage is more often applied to the color "metallic gold".

The first recorded uses of golden as a color name in English were in 1300 to refer to the element gold and in 1423 to refer to blonde hair.[9]

Cyber yellow

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Cyber yellow
 
 
Cyber yellow used for stickers
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFD300
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 211, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(50°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(86, 98, 67°)
SourcePantone TPX[10]
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

The color cyber yellow is displayed at right.

The source of this color is the "Pantone Textile Paper eXtended (TPX)" color list, color 14-0760 TPX—Cyber Yellow.[11]

Safety yellow

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Safety yellow
 
 
A yellow school bus
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#EED202
sRGBB (r, g, b)(238, 210, 2)
HSV (h, s, v)(53°, 99%, 93%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(84, 94, 74°)
SourceANSI Z535
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Safety yellow is one of the standard high-visibility safety colors defined by ANSI standard Z535, which specifies standards for safety and accident prevention information. It is often used on hazard symbols, warning signs, guard rails, dangerous equipment, older American civil defense sirens (typically from the 1950s and 1960s), and some high-visibility clothing and personal protective equipment. The definition is mirrored in British Standard BS 381C and Australian Standard AS2700 (where it is known as golden yellow). In 1937, it was determined that safety yellow was the best color to be noticed by the human brain; as a result, the paint color of all United States school buses was changed from orange to safety yellow (see also school bus yellow).


Greenish Yellow

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Greenish yellow
 
   
Indian 20 rupee note, obverse and reverse
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#EEEA62
sRGBB (r, g, b)(238, 234, 98)
HSV (h, s, v)(58°, 59%, 93%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(91, 82, 84°)
SourceInternet
ISCC–NBS descriptorBrilliant greenish yellow
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Displayed at right is the color greenish yellow. It is the main color on the Indian 20-rupee note.

Chartreuse yellow

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Chartreuse yellow
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#DFFF00
sRGBB (r, g, b)(223, 255, 0)
HSV (h, s, v)(68°, 100%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(95, 108, 97°)
SourceMaerz and Paul[12]
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellowish green
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)
 
A bottle of chartreuse liqueur

The first recorded use of chartreuse for the color that is now called chartreuse yellow in American English was in 1892.[13]

In the book Color Standards and Color Nomenclature (1912), "Chartreuse Yellow" is listed and illustrated.[14]

Pear

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Pear
 
 
Anjou pear
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#D1E231
sRGBB (r, g, b)(209, 226, 49)
HSV (h, s, v)(66°, 78%, 89%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(86, 91, 93°)
SourceColorHexa[15]
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid yellow green
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Pear is a desaturated chartreuse yellow color that resembles the color of the exterior surface of Anjou or Bartlett pears.

Green earth

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Green earth
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#DADD98
sRGBB (r, g, b)(218, 221, 152)
HSV (h, s, v)(63°, 31%, 87%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(86, 48, 88°)
SourceDerwent[16]
ISCC–NBS descriptorLight yellow green
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Displayed at right is the color green earth. It is also known as terre verte and Verona green. It is an inorganic pigment derived from the minerals celadonite and glauconite.[17][18]

Moccasin

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Moccasin
 
 
      Color coordinates
Hex triplet#FFE4B5
sRGBB (r, g, b)(255, 228, 181)
HSV (h, s, v)(38°, 29%, 100%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(92, 42, 62°)
SourceX11
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

A brownish yellow, common of the leather shoe with the same name.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ W3C TR CSS3 Color Module, HTML4 color keywords
  2. ^ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 191; Color Sample of Canary Yellow: Page 45 Plate 11 Color Sample L3
  3. ^ The sRGB values are taken by converting the NCS color 1080-R using the “NCS Navigator” tool at the NCS website.
  4. ^ Type the word "Yellow" into the indicated window on the Pantone Color Finder and the color will appear.
  5. ^ Pantone TPX Pantone Color Finder—Type the word "Yellow" into the indicated window on the Pantone Color Finder and the color will appear:
  6. ^ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 197; Color Sample of Lemon: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample K3
  7. ^ Plochere Color System: Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 201 (See under Orpiment [a synonym of the color name Royal Yellow] ); color sample of Royal Yellow: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample K3
  9. ^ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 195
  10. ^ Type the words "Cyber Yellow" into the indicated window on the Pantone Color Finder and the color will appear.
  11. ^ Pantone TPX Pantone Color Finder—Type the words "Cyber Yellow" into the indicated window on the Pantone Color Finder and the color will appear:
  12. ^ The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called chartreuse in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill; the color chartreuse is displayed on page 45 Plate 11, Color Sample L1.
  13. ^ Aloys John Maerz; Morris Rea Paul (1930) A Dictionary of Color, p. 192, New York: McGraw-Hill
  14. ^ Robert Ridgway (1912) Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, p. 67, Published by the author, Washington D.C. OCLC 630954
  15. ^ "Pear / #d1e231 hex color". ColorHexa. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  16. ^ The color in the color box above matches the color called green earth in Derwent colored pencils.[citation needed]
  17. ^ Green earth Colourlex. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  18. ^ Green earth. Pigments through the Ages. webexhibits.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.