What is the color code for desert sand yellow?
There isn’t a single universal color code for “desert sand yellow”; designers commonly reference a few close hex values such as #EDC9AF and #F4A460, depending on the source and context.
Understanding the shade and its uses
Desert sand yellow describes a warm, light tan with yellowish undertones reminiscent of sunlit dunes. In digital design, this shade is mapped to hex values across a spectrum—from pale beige to light amber. Since different brands and standards label similar colors differently, you’ll encounter several closely related codes in palettes and style guides.
Common hex codes used to depict desert sand yellow
Below are widely cited hex values that designers associate with desert sand yellow. They provide different brightness levels to fit into varied palettes.
- Desert Sand (Crayola reference) — #EDC9AF — RGB(237, 201, 175)
- Sandy Brown (CSS named color) — #F4A460 — RGB(244, 164, 96)
- Tan (CSS named color) — #D2B48C — RGB(210, 180, 140)
These options cover a range from light to medium warm beige. When choosing for a project, test them against your background, text, and lighting context to ensure legibility and mood alignment.
Other close-color matches often used in palettes
Beyond the primary hex codes, other widely used beige-yellow tones appear in design systems and CSS color names:
- Khaki — #F0E68C — RGB(240, 230, 140)
- Wheat — #F5DEB3 — RGB(245, 222, 179)
- Tan — #D2B48C — RGB(210, 180, 140)
These variants provide additional flexibility when coordinating with golds, browns, or off-white backgrounds.
Practical guidance for choosing a desert sand yellow code
Choose based on the intended medium (screen vs print), the surrounding color palette, and accessibility considerations. For high-contrast text on light backgrounds, a deeper tone like #F4A460 or #D2B48C may work better. For a soft, muted look, #EDC9AF or #F5DEB3 can be preferable. If you’re following a brand guide, align with the official color tokens provided by that guide.
Summary
Desert sand yellow does not have a single official hex code. The most commonly cited values are #EDC9AF (Desert Sand) and #F4A460 (Sandy Brown), with related tones like #D2B48C (Tan), #F0E68C (Khaki), and #F5DEB3 (Wheat) frequently used as close matches. The right choice depends on context, brightness, and readability, and should be tested within the specific design environment.
