#C9C228 Hex Color
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#c9c228 is a bright, warm yellow with a slightly olive, green-leaning undertone. Its strong saturation feels energetic and spontaneous, while its medium lightness keeps it grounded rather than neon. The hex code works well as a sale badge, budget label, or construction accent. Use black text for readable contrast; white text loses clarity against this shade.
Questions about #c9c228
What is #c9c228 in RGB, HSL and CMYK?
In RGB, #c9c228 is rgb(201, 194, 40), in HSL hsl(57, 67%, 47%) and in CMYK 0%, 3%, 80%, 21%.
What colors pair well with #c9c228 in a palette?
#c9c228 pairs well with navy and charcoal because their dark, restrained surfaces sharpen its yellow-green warmth without competing with its brightness. Use it as a small accent against those deeper tones, especially in buttons, labels, or display typography.
Where should designers use #c9c228?
#c9c228 works best as a high-energy accent for sale badges, budget messaging, construction graphics, and calls to action, where its saturated, medium-value finish draws attention quickly without overwhelming surrounding content. Large areas can feel tiring, so pair it with generous spacing and darker supporting colors.
Is #c9c228 readable on white or black?
#c9c228 has a 1.86:1 contrast ratio on white and 11.23:1 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.