Sunglow

#FFCC33

Yellow Family →

What Color is Sunglow

Sunglow is a radiant shade of yellow that bridges the gap between pure lemon and warm amber. It embodies the essence of midday light, projecting an inviting warmth without the harshness of neon. This hue is synonymous with energy and visibility, often used to capture immediate attention.

What color is opposite Sunglow?

The opposite color to Sunglow is Blue Ribbon (#3366ff).

View Blue Ribbon

Additional Information

  • Color Family: Yellow
  • Temperature: Warm
  • Associated Season: Spring
  • Complementary Color: #3366FF
  • Brightness: 202/255
  • Saturation: 80%

Colors That Pair Well With Sunglow

Complementary

Pair with Blue Ribbon for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.

#FFCC33#3366ff

High Contrast

Use Persian Blue for maximum readability. Ideal for text or critical UI elements.

#FFCC33#0033cc

Harmonious Depth

Use lighter and darker shades for a sophisticated, cohesive design. Great for backgrounds, text, and subtle accents.

#ffe085#80661a

Sunglow History

Historically, achieving this specific golden-yellow required the use of toxic minerals like Orpiment or expensive dyes like Saffron. It wasn't until the 19th century, with the invention of synthetic pigments like Chrome Yellow and later Cadmium Yellow, that this vivid shade became stable and accessible for artists.

In modern times, Sunglow gained prominence through industrial standardization, often used in safety signage to denote caution due to its high visibility. It was officially formalized as a Crayola crayon color in 1990, cementing its place in pop culture as a standardized representation of sunshine.

Meaning & Psychology

Psychologically, Sunglow triggers immediate feelings of optimism and mental clarity, stimulating the left side of the brain responsible for logic. It is an uplifting hue associated with laughter and happiness, though its high light reflectance can cause eye fatigue or anxiety if applied to large, unbroken surfaces.

Culturally, this shade often represents intellect and enlightenment, closely mirroring the symbolism of gold without the metallic sheen. However, biologically, humans are wired to treat this color with caution, as it mimics the warning coloration found on stinging insects and hazardous materials.

In Nature

In the natural world, Sunglow appears vividly in the petals of sunflowers facing the light and the rich, nutrient-dense yolk of a farm-fresh egg. It is the color of bumblebees warning predators of their sting and the crystalline structure of imperial topaz, reflecting the warm light of the sun during the golden hour.

How To Use Sunglow

In design, Sunglow offers high visibility, making it perfect for "Call to Action" buttons, but it requires dark text for proper legibility. You must avoid using white text over this background, as the lack of contrast will cause the design to fail accessibility standards (WCAG).

Use this color as an accent to inject life into minimal, monochromatic schemes like greys or navies. It is particularly effective in food branding and youth-oriented marketing, as it creates an energetic and appetizing atmosphere that encourages impulse and interaction.

Related Words

toxicsyntheticindustrialstandardizedoptimismanxietyintellectcautionsunflowersyolkbumblebeestopazvisibilitylegibilitycontrastaccentenergetic

Curated Palettes

#FFCC33
#121212
#4A4A4A
#D4D4D4
#FFFFFF

Urban Caution

A high-contrast, industrial palette inspired by street signage and asphalt.

#FFCC33
#2E8B57
#FF7F50
#40E0D0
#FFF5EE

Retro Poolside

A nostalgic 1970s aesthetic focusing on warmth and aquatic coolness.

#FFCC33
#FFB347
#FF8C00
#CC5500
#8B0000

Golden Hour

Analogous warm tones mimicking the gradient of a sunset.

Color Conversions

Hex
#FFCC33
RGB
255, 204, 51
RGB %
100%, 80%, 20%
HSL
45°, 100%, 60%
HSV
45°, 80%, 100%
CMYK
0%, 20%, 80%, 0%
LAB
84.32, 4.52, 76.35
XYZ
63.43, 64.68, 12.27

Color Blindness Simulation

Normal
Protanopia
Deuteranopia
Tritanopia

CSS Snippets

Text Color (Hex)
Aa
color: #FFCC33;
Text Color (RGB)
Aa
color: rgb(255, 204, 51);
Background Color
background-color: #FFCC33;
Border
border: 3px solid #FFCC33;
Box Shadow
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #FFCC3366;
Gradient
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #FFCC33 0%, #ffffff 100%);
Cushion Mockup
Available to Order Now

Shop Premium Products in Sunglow

This isn't just a mockup. We'll custom make high-quality home decor in this exact shade, just for you.

MaterialEco Velvet
Size30cm x 30cm
Color
Sunglow

Ships in 3-5 daysSecure Checkout

Product Details

Add a touch of luxury to your home with our premium Eco Velvet cushions. Soft to the touch, these cushions are perfect for adding comfort and style to any room.

  • Material: Soft Eco Velvet.
  • Feel: Velvety soft finish.
  • Print: Double-sided, all-over vibrant color using water-based inks.
  • Care: Machine washable at 30°C.
  • Construction: Handmade to order with a concealed zipper.
Eco Credentials

We believe in sustainable style. Our cushions are crafted with the planet in mind.

  • Made to Order: Produced only when you order, eliminating overproduction and waste.
  • Water-Based Inks: Printed using neo-pigment, water-based inks that are non-hazardous, toxin-free, and vegan-friendly.
  • Local Fulfilment: Produced locally where possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
  • Vegan Friendly: No animal products are used in the production of these cushions.

What Goes With Sunglow?

Explore color palettes containing Sunglow and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.

Accessibility

Contrast with Black and White

Contrast with Black

UI Examples

"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."

Contrast Ratio

0.00/ 21
Fail
AA Normal Text
Fail
AA Large Text
Fail
AAA Normal Text
Fail
AAA Large Text
Fail
Contrast with White

UI Examples

"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."

Contrast Ratio

0.00/ 21
Fail
AA Normal Text
Fail
AA Large Text
Fail
AAA Normal Text
Fail
AAA Large Text
Fail

Closest Color Matches

Best Match

Caran d'ache Luminance 6901

Golden Bismuth Yellow

#820#FFC630

Buy

Polychromos

cadmium yellow

#107#FFD530

Buy

Prismacolor

Spanish Orange

#PC1003#FFC12A

Buy
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hex code for Sunglow?
The hex code for Sunglow is #FFCC33. The RGB values are (255, 204, 51). You can find more formats like CMYK and LAB in the Color Conversions section.
What colors go with Sunglow?
Sunglow pairs well with its complementary color, Blue Ribbon (#3366ff). It also works great with analogous colors (neighbors on the wheel) and triadic combinations. See our recommended pairings for more ideas.
Is Sunglow accessible for text?
No, Sunglow is not readable on white backgrounds. It is not readable on black backgrounds. For detailed contrast ratios and WCAG scores, check the accessibility section.
How do I use Sunglow in CSS?

You can use Sunglow in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:

.sunglow {
  background-color: #FFCC33;
  color: #FFFFFF;
}

For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.