Classic Olive adds visible warmth and energy — works well in north-facing rooms that need a lift and in spaces where cheerful is the goal. At LRV 11 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it in north-facing rooms with cool light, where yellows can read acidic or greenish rather than cheerful.
Ref. #685E3F · ICC-88
Classic Olive
11%LRV Value
Classic Olive Technical Profile
What color is Behr Classic Olive (ICC-88)? It's a dark warm yellow — hex #685E3F, LRV 11. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Classic Olive is Vista Paint Jungle Cover — a near-identical match on the wall, with Hirshfield's African Queen and Dunn-Edwards Roam Wild also close. With an LRV of 11, Classic Olive creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Pair it with crisp whites like Pure White for trim, oak or maple woods, and brass hardware. Navy or deep teal accents balance the brightness without competing for attention. At mid saturation, this color sits at a flexible mid-point — bold enough to anchor a room without dominating, and pairs cleanly with both crisp and creamy whites. Under 2700K warm bulbs Classic Olive reads more golden or buttery. Under 4000K daylight bulbs it stays truer to the chip, though saturated yellows can edge toward green in mixed light. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
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Colors Similar to Classic Olive
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Classic Olive
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Classic Olive
#685E3F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#788357
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Classic Olive
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Classic Olive Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Behr Colors
Other Behr colors close to Classic Olive.
More yellow colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the yellow family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Classic Olive — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Classic Olive from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Classic Olive are Jungle Cover by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), African Queen by Hirshfield's (a very close match), Roam Wild by Dunn-Edwards (a very close match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Classic Olive's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Classic Olive?
Classic Olive has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 11.3, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Classic Olive
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Classic Olive depends on the room. Here's how to choose.