Carotene reads as warm and grounded — strong in kitchens, family rooms, and any space where warmth is the dominant mood you're after. At LRV 46 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Because it's a fully saturated example, it lands strongest as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than the dominant whole-room color. Skip it in rooms that already run warm or get strong afternoon sun, where it can tip into an overpowering glow.
Ref. #F8A245 · 97YR 44/642
Carotene
46%LRV Value
Carotene Technical Profile
What color is PPG Carotene (97YR 44/642)? It's a medium warm orange — hex #F8A245, LRV 46. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Carotene is Sherwin-Williams Osage Orange — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Monarch Wing and Dunn-Edwards O'Brien Orange also close. Its LRV of 46 gives Carotene depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with warm whites like White Dove, white oak floors, and unlacquered brass or copper hardware. Terracotta tile or deep green plants complete an earthy warm palette. As a fully saturated example, it reads as a confident statement color — best deployed as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than a whole-room dominant. Oranges glow under 2700K warm bulbs, deepening into rich amber. Under 4000K cool light they can lose warmth and shift toward beige — particularly true for muted or dusty oranges. Saturated colors amplify lighting effects more than muted ones: warm bulbs deepen and enrich, cool daylight sharpens and slightly cools the same hex.
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Colors Similar to Carotene
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Carotene
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Carotene
#F8A245
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#D0D260
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Carotene
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Carotene 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Carotene.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Carotene — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Carotene from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Carotene are Osage Orange by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Monarch Wing by Valspar (a near-identical match), O'Brien Orange by Dunn-Edwards (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 Carotene'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 Carotene?
Carotene has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 46.2, 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 Carotene
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 Carotene depends on the room. Here's how to choose.