Linen
A warm, understated neutral for modern interfaces
Linen is a light, desaturated neutral with subtle orange and grey undertones. It offers a softer alternative to stark white, making it an excellent base color for UI layouts. Because black text provides strong contrast at 18.7:1, it remains highly readable even at small sizes. Pair the hex code #faf0e6 with deep charcoal or muted earth tones to keep your palette grounded.
About Linen
A warm breath of cream, barely blushed
What does linen mean?
Linen often brings to mind natural fabric, soft home goods, and a quiet warmth that plain white lacks. Its near-white lightness and low saturation give it a soft, hushed character with just a trace of warmth.
Where you see linen
- unbleached fabric
- seashells
- old paper
- oatmeal
- candle wax
- wedding invitations
What it works for
Use it as a page background when pure white feels too stark but you still need text to read clearly.
What colors go with linen?
Slate Blue #6a5acdCool grey-blue offsets the warmth and keeps the whole palette looking calm.Sage #9caf88Muted green pairs naturally, like plants in a sunlit ceramic bowl.Charcoal #36454fDeep grey gives strong definition against such a light, quiet background.Terracotta #e2725bBoth carry warmth, so together they feel baked and earthy.Espresso #4e312dDark brown grounds the pale background like coffee in a cream cup.Dusty Rose #b56f76Soft pink picks up the faint orange undertone without overpowering it.
Questions about Linen
What is the hex code for Linen?
Linen is #faf0e6. In RGB that is rgb(250, 240, 230), in HSL hsl(30, 67%, 94%) and in CMYK 0%, 4%, 8%, 2%.
Does #faf0e6 work well as a background color?
Yes, #faf0e6 is an excellent choice for backgrounds because it provides a softer visual experience than pure white while maintaining high contrast. It effectively reduces eye strain during long reading sessions when paired with dark text like charcoal or deep brown.
What undertones define the color Linen?
Linen is a desaturated neutral that carries very subtle orange and grey undertones. These warm hints prevent the color from appearing clinical or cold, giving it a sophisticated, organic feel that grounds professional web layouts and minimalist branding.
Is Linen readable on white or black?
Linen has a 1.12:1 contrast ratio on white and 18.67:1 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.