Ref. #EFB97B · 6661
Papaya
55%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Papaya Technical Profile
What color is Papaya? It's a medium warm orange with the hex code #EFB97B. Colors similar to Papaya include Vista Paint Seville Orange, Dunn-Edwards Paloma Tan, Benjamin Moore Soft Marigold. Papaya has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. At LRV 55, Papaya sits in the comfortable mid-light range — bright enough for living areas yet soft enough for bedrooms, and adaptable across most lighting conditions. 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. 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.
Colors Similar to Papaya
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Papaya
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Papaya
#EFB97B
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#C6C969
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Papaya
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Papaya 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 Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Papaya.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Papaya — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Papaya have?
Papaya by Sherwin-Williams has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the orange color family.
What colors match Papaya from other brands?
The closest matches are Seville Orange by Vista Paint (#F0B87A), Paloma Tan by Dunn-Edwards (#E9B679), Soft Marigold by Benjamin Moore (#F1BB78). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Papaya?
Papaya has an LRV of 54.5, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Papaya
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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Papaya's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.