Beige vs Cream
Can you tell them apart?
#F5F5DC
#FFFDD0
Perceptual difference (ΔE): 10.4 — similar.
Beige and cream are both off-white neutrals that show up constantly in interiors, fashion, and branding, but they pull in different directions. Beige has a distinct tan undertone — there's sand and warmth in it, and you'd never mistake it for white. Cream is closer to white but carries a soft yellow warmth, like the top of fresh milk or the inside of thick canvas. In a paint store, beige looks almost yellowish-brown next to true cream; cream looks almost white next to beige. Both are popular 'safe' neutrals but they change a room differently.
How to tell them apart
Hold the swatch next to a white wall. Cream reads as slightly yellowed white; beige reads as a muted tan-brown. If the undertone looks like sand or biscuit, it's beige; if it looks like dairy or parchment, it's cream.
Color values
| HEX | #F5F5DC |
|---|---|
| RGB | 245, 245, 220 |
| HSL | 60°, 56%, 91% |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 10, 4 |
| HEX | #FFFDD0 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 255, 253, 208 |
| HSL | 57°, 100%, 91% |
| CMYK | 0, 1, 18, 0 |
FAQ
- Is beige the same as cream?
- No. Beige has a tan-brown undertone while cream is closer to white with a yellow warmth.
- Which is darker, beige or cream?
- Beige is darker. Its sandy undertone gives it more depth compared to the near-white softness of cream.