THE COLOR LIBRARY / Warm
Gold color codes.
The CSS gold color code is #FFD700. Its RGB value is rgb(255, 215, 0) and its HSL value is hsl(50.59, 100%, 50%). Start with the exact reference, then choose a shade for the job.
A color name describes a family in everyday language. This page uses the standardized CSS keyword as its reference; your brand’s gold may be different.
Explore the shades ↓COPY. PASTE. MAKE IT YOURS.
Gold in HEX, RGB, and HSL
#FFD700rgb(255, 215, 0)hsl(50.59, 100%, 50%)HEX and RGB encode the same sRGB reference. HSL is calculated from it and rounded to two decimals for display. These are screen color values, not a CMYK print specification.
ONE COLOR. DIFFERENT ROLES.
Explore gold tints and shades
Select a swatch to see its codes and compare text contrast.
Make the next step clear.
A label, a surface, and room to breathe.
Selected: ReferenceSelected color
Reference · #FFD700
rgb(255, 215, 0)hsl(50.59, 100%, 50%)The specimen picks whichever of black or white has higher contrast. It demonstrates a pair, not a complete accessible component.
Illustrative scale: tints mix the reference with white, shades with black, by the stated percentage in encoded sRGB channels. This is not a perceptually uniform scale. Black tints and white shades remain useful; mixing black with black or white with white repeats the reference.
Text contrast on gold
The table follows your selected swatch, currently #FFD700. Decisions use the full calculated ratio; displayed ratios are rounded.
| Text color | Ratio | AA ordinary text | AA large text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black #000000 | 14.97:1 | Pass · 4.5:1 | Pass · 3:1 |
| White #FFFFFF | 1.40:1 | Fail · 4.5:1 | Fail · 3:1 |
Large text is at least 18pt, or 14pt bold. These numeric checks apply to opaque, solid color pairs. Other criteria, states, backgrounds, and exceptions need review. Read W3C’s contrast guidance.
CSS gold is a flat sRGB color, not a metallic finish. White labels on a gold fill need particular attention; dark text is a more useful starting point.
Check a custom color pair ↗IN A REAL INTERFACE
How to use gold in product design
Give it one clear role
Gold can emphasize a premium tier, milestone, or featured item when that meaning is also written out. Avoid using it simultaneously for a reward and an urgent warning in the same view.
A UI example to try
A plan comparison can mark a featured tier with a gold badge reading “Recommended.” Explain the recommendation in text and keep purchase actions consistent with the rest of the interface.
Work through a real screen
Test gold as a small highlight or a clearly labeled premium category, with dark readable content. A flat screen color cannot reproduce metallic material by itself. If a decorative gradient is used to suggest that effect, keep important text on a predictable surface and review the actual pair.
Compare nearby colors by purpose
Compare gold with yellow for a brighter attention treatment and brown for a darker related accent. Avoid using the same gold badge for unrelated meanings such as premium access and pending approval unless the surrounding labels make the distinction explicit.
- Choose the role. Decide whether gold is a surface, foreground, accent, or status. Name the semantic token after that purpose.
- Test the actual pair. Compare its foreground and background at the intended size. Test hover, selected, focus, and supported themes independently.
- Document the decision. Keep the approved code, usage rule, and contrasting companion together. Preserve labels and non-color cues when communicating a state.
Copy a gold CSS palette
These numeric names are illustrative palette tokens, not a standard scale. Connect approved values to semantic tokens such as --surface-highlight or --text-primary after testing their pairs.
:root {
--gold-100: #FFF7CC;
--gold-300: #FFE766;
--gold-500: #FFD700;
--gold-700: #BFA100;
--gold-900: #806C00;
}Common questions about gold
What is the HEX code for gold?
The CSS named color gold is #FFD700. Use that exact value when you want the standardized reference; use your own documented token when you mean a particular brand shade.
Is gold accessible?
A color by itself cannot pass or fail accessibility. The foreground/background pair, content size, interaction state, and meaning all matter. Use the table above for the selected solid-color pair, then review the complete interface.