European 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 18 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. #7C7852 · 70YY 18/220
European Olive
18%LRV Value
European Olive Technical Profile
What color is PPG European Olive (70YY 18/220)? It's a deep cool yellow — hex #7C7852, LRV 18. The closest cross-brand equivalent to European Olive is RAL Olive Grey — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Olivita and Benjamin Moore Shady Lane also close. With an LRV of 18, European 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 European 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 European Olive
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With European Olive
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
European Olive
#7C7852
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#859A67
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for European Olive
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
European 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to European 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.
European Olive — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match European Olive from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to European Olive are Olive Grey by RAL (a near-identical match), Olivita by Valspar (a near-identical match), Shady Lane 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 European 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 European Olive?
European Olive has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 18.3, 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 European 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 European Olive depends on the room. Here's how to choose.