Ivory vs off-white
Ivory is a specific colour; off-white is a description. CSS fixes ivory at #FFFFF0, and the community colour-name list agrees. “Off-white” covers any white that is not quite pure, and the list's Off White, #FFFFE4, happens to be a little yellower than ivory. Stationers often offer ivory as the warm option that still reads as white.
| Name | HEX | Tint |
|---|---|---|
| ivory (CSS) | #FFFFF0 | Faint yellow |
| Off White (list) | #FFFFE4 | Slightly stronger yellow |
| floralwhite (CSS) | #FFFAF0 | Warmer, with a peach edge |
| linen (CSS) | #FAF0E6 | Noticeably beige; looks like natural fabric |
If ivory looks too yellow on your screen, floral white is the nearest alternative; if it looks too white, step to linen. There is also a dedicated off-white page on choosing a soft white for websites.
Pairing with ivory
Ivory paired with navy or burgundy is the formal invitation look; ivory text on navy scores 15.87:1 and on burgundy 9.43:1. Add gold as a fine border or foil accent rather than as text, since gold on ivory is barely visible. With charcoal, ivory gives a softer take on black and white.
Ivory and photos
An ivory page or card works well with warm photography (skin, food, wood). Product shots on pure-white backgrounds, though, will show a visible edge where the photo's white meets the ivory. Either remove the photo background or keep those sections pure white.
Questions
What is ivory in RGB?
rgb(255, 255, 240).
Ivory or cream for a wedding invitation?
Ivory reads as white with warmth; cream reads as a colour. Compare them on the cream page.