Spanish 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 39 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. #AFA971 · 70YY 37/296
Spanish Olive
39%LRV Value
Spanish Olive Technical Profile
What color is PPG Spanish Olive (70YY 37/296)? It's a medium cool yellow — hex #AFA971, LRV 39. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Spanish Olive is Dutch Boy Fried Pickle — a near-identical match on the wall, with Benjamin Moore Agave and Behr Natchez Moss also close. Its LRV of 39 gives Spanish Olive 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 Spanish 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 Spanish Olive
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Spanish Olive
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Spanish Olive
#AFA971
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9DAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Spanish Olive
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Spanish 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 Spanish 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.
Spanish Olive — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Spanish Olive from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Spanish Olive are Fried Pickle by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Agave by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Natchez Moss by Behr (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 Spanish 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 Spanish Olive?
Spanish Olive has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 38.7, 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 Spanish 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 Spanish Olive depends on the room. Here's how to choose.