Golden Brown
Warm ochre with deep yellow undertones
Golden Brown is a muted, warm ochre with deep yellow undertones. Because it can feel muddy if used too broadly, apply it as a 10% accent rather than a base color. It pairs effectively with slate blue to cut through the density of the tone. Black text is highly legible against this hex code #b27a01, making it a reliable choice for buttons or bold graphic elements.
About Golden Brown
Curry powder in a cedar drawer
What does golden brown mean?
It often brings to mind toasted grain, honey, worn leather, and fall leaves. The middling lightness and low saturation keep it mellow, so it reads cozy and grounded rather than loud.
Where you see golden brown
- curry powder
- honey
- toast crust
- leather saddles
- brown mustard
- roasted pumpkin
What it works for
It suits kitchen textiles, packaging for bread and coffee, wooden furniture finishes, and earthy brand accents.
What colors go with golden brown?
Plum #8e4585Plum's cool red-purple gives this warm orange a sharp, tasty counterpoint.Teal #008080Teal sits across the color wheel, so the pair snaps without shouting.Cream #fffdd0Cream lightens it into something soft and kitchen-friendly.Bottle Green #006a4eDeep green makes the yellow in it glow like brass.
Questions about Golden Brown
What is the hex code for Golden Brown?
Golden Brown is #b27a01. In RGB that is rgb(178, 122, 1), in HSL hsl(41, 99%, 35%) and in CMYK 0%, 31%, 99%, 30%.
How should I use #b27a01 in my designs?
Apply #b27a01 as a 10% accent color to avoid it feeling muddy or overwhelming in larger blocks. It functions best as an earthy highlight for buttons or icons, especially when paired against neutral backgrounds or soft off-whites.
Is Golden Brown readable on white or black?
Golden Brown has a 3.69:1 contrast ratio on white and 5.67:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it works only for large text (24px, or 18.5px bold) and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.