Praying Mantis 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 47 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it in north-facing rooms with cool light, where yellows can read acidic or greenish rather than cheerful.
Ref. #C3B873 · 223-4DB
Praying Mantis
47%LRV Value
Praying Mantis Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Praying Mantis (223-4DB)? It's a medium cool yellow — hex #C3B873, LRV 47. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Praying Mantis is Behr Pistachio Shortbread — a near-identical match on the wall, with Colorhouse Leaf .04 and Benjamin Moore Meadow View also close. Its LRV of 47 gives Praying Mantis depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural 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 Praying Mantis 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 Praying Mantis
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Praying Mantis
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Praying Mantis
#C3B873
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#A0B181
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Praying Mantis
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Praying Mantis 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Praying Mantis.
More yellow colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the yellow family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Praying Mantis — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Praying Mantis from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Praying Mantis are Pistachio Shortbread by Behr (a near-identical match), Leaf .04 by Colorhouse (a near-identical match), Meadow View by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical 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 Praying Mantis'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 Praying Mantis?
Praying Mantis has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 47.1, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural 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 Praying Mantis
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 Praying Mantis depends on the room. Here's how to choose.