Sesame
A soft and dusty desert-inspired neutral shade
Sesame is a muted, dusty shade that leans toward desaturated orange. Because it is highly unsaturated, this color works best as a grounding neutral rather than a primary focus. Pair it with deep charcoals to maximize contrast, as black text remains highly readable over it. The hex code for Sesame is #baa38b, a reliable choice for backgrounds that need a soft, earthy quality.
About Sesame
Toasted grain ground fine between millstones
What does sesame mean?
The color often calls up baked goods, dry grasses, and unbleached paper, linking it to natural materials and plain craft. Its mid lightness and very low saturation read as settled and unhurried, a tone that holds a room without pushing.
Where you see sesame
- toasted sesame seeds
- kraft paper
- whole wheat crust
- latte foam
- dried grass
- cardboard
What it works for
Use it as a warm backdrop in interiors and packaging, where it softens neutral palettes without the glare of white.
What colors go with sesame?
Deep Teal #00555aThe cool blue green cuts through the warmth and keeps the pair from feeling flat.Oxblood #800020The dark red adds depth while staying inside the same earthy family.Charcoal #36454fDark grey anchors the pale tan and sharpens all that softness.Dusty Blue #8093a4The muted blue cools the warmth and reads as quiet, lived-in comfort.Olive #808000Shared earthy undertones let the two sit together without either one shouting.
Questions about Sesame
What is the hex code for Sesame?
Sesame is #baa38b. In RGB that is rgb(186, 163, 139), in HSL hsl(31, 25%, 64%) and in CMYK 0%, 12%, 25%, 27%.
Is Sesame #baa38b a warm or cool color?
Sesame leans toward a warm, desaturated orange, which gives it that dusty, sun-baked quality. Because it is highly unsaturated, it stays neutral enough to work in professional layouts without overwhelming the eye or clashing with other design elements.
Is Sesame readable on white or black?
Sesame has a 2.41:1 contrast ratio on white and 8.69:1 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.