#B4B494 Hex Color
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This dusty, muted yellow has a strong ashy undertone that reads more like a neutral than a primary hue. Because of its low saturation, the hex code #b4b494 works well as a grounding background or a subtle supporting tone. Pair it with deep charcoal or slate gray to sharpen its appearance, as black text provides excellent readability against this soft, understated shade.
Questions about #b4b494
What is #b4b494 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #b4b494 is rgb(180, 180, 148), in HSL hsl(60, 18%, 64%) and in CMYK 0%, 0%, 18%, 29%.
What colors pair well with #b4b494?
#b4b494 functions best when anchored by high-contrast neutrals. Pairing this muted yellow with deep charcoal or soft slate creates a sophisticated, balanced palette that allows the yellow to recede into a supporting, professional role without overwhelming the viewer.
Is #b4b494 warm or cool toned?
While #b4b494 is technically a yellow, its strong ashy undertone shifts the perception away from a vibrant, sunny warmth. This desaturated quality makes it behave more like a cool, earthy beige or a taupe in most practical design applications.
Is #b4b494 readable on white or black?
#b4b494 has a 2.12:1 contrast ratio on white and 9.89:1 on black. WCAG asks for 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large text, so on white it is too faint for text and on black it works for body text. Try other pairs in the contrast checker.