Ivory vs White
Can you tell them apart?
#FFFFF0
#FFFFFF
Perceptual difference (ΔE): 7.6 — similar.
Pure white and ivory seem identical until placed side by side — then ivory reveals a faint yellow warmth that separates it cleanly from the stark neutrality of white. Ivory takes its name from elephant tusk material, which has a natural creamy cast. In wedding dress terminology, ivory is the warmer choice while white is the cooler, brighter option. On screens the difference is extremely subtle — just a trace of yellow in the blue channel — but in fabric, paint, or ceramic the gap is unmistakable and affects how other colours around it are perceived.
How to tell them apart
Put them next to each other on a white background. The ivory will look faintly warm or yellowed; pure white has absolutely no tint. If you're second-guessing whether something is white, it's probably ivory.
Color values
| HEX | #FFFFF0 |
|---|---|
| RGB | 255, 255, 240 |
| HSL | 60°, 100%, 97% |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 6, 0 |
| HEX | #FFFFFF |
|---|---|
| RGB | 255, 255, 255 |
| HSL | 0°, 0%, 100% |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
FAQ
- Is ivory off-white?
- Yes. Ivory is an off-white with a very faint yellow warmth, unlike the pure neutral of bright white.
- Is ivory warmer or cooler than white?
- Warmer. The yellow undertone in ivory makes it feel softer and more organic than the coolness of pure white.