290 — Lemon Dark
Oranges family
Anchor 290 (Lemon Dark) is a medium, highly saturated orange shade with hex code #FCC318 and RGB values 252, 195, 24. Below you'll find the closest Valdani, Crescent Colours, and DMC equivalents — ranked by visual color similarity — plus 8 similar Anchor shades and color harmony pairings.
Brand Equivalents for Anchor 290
Top 5 closest matches in each brand, ranked by visual color similarity. How matching works
DMC
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colours
Similar Anchor Colors to 290
Closest Anchor threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with Anchor 290
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground.
With its high saturation, Anchor 290 (Lemon Dark) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.
Color Harmonies for Anchor 290
Anchor threads that pair well with 290, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
Anchor 290 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About Anchor 290
Meet Anchor 290, Lemon Dark — a highly saturated, medium thread in the oranges family with golden orange tones. Its vibrant and steady presence shines in autumn leaves and sunsets alike. Pull this thread for warm accents or seasonal designs when you need a dependable shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor 290 — what color is it?
The color of Anchor 290 is Lemon Dark — a medium orange thread (hex #FCC318, RGB 252, 195, 24). It shows up most in citrus motifs and fox designs.
What is the DMC equivalent of Anchor 290?
The closest DMC match for Anchor 290 (Lemon Dark) is DMC 444 (Lemon dark) with a 87% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include DMC 743 (Yellow medium, 85%) and DMC 973 (Canary bright, 80%).
Which Anchor threads are close to 290?
The closest Anchor threads to 290 are 295 Golden Yellow Medium Light (ΔE 4.77), 297 Golden Yellow Medium (ΔE 4.82), and 291 Canary Yellow Bright (ΔE 5.13). These are useful substitutes when 290 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is Anchor 290 good for?
Anchor 290 (Lemon Dark) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring citrus motifs, fox designs, fall harvest scenes, monarch butterflies. Its medium tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 290.
What fabric color works best with Anchor 290 (Lemon Dark)?
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground. For reference, 290 has a contrast ratio of about 1.6:1 on white fabric and 13:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.