Olive Drab

Technical Profile

What color is Olive Drab? It's a deep cool green with the hex code #706D37. Colors similar to Olive Drab include MPC Haas Green, Sherwin-Williams Relentless Olive, MPC Extra Virgin. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Olive Drab has a cool (green) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Olive Drab (#706D37) by Valspar is a deep green paint color with a balanced saturation that feels natural and approachable. It delivers a grounded richness that adds drama and sophistication. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, red is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle rosy warmth even under different lighting conditions. At an LRV of 15 it absorbs more light than it reflects, creating a moody, enveloping atmosphere. Deep greens like this create moody elegance in studies, formal dining rooms, and bedroom accent walls. Satin or semi-gloss finishes help deep colors reflect just enough light to show their full depth, especially on accent walls and trim. For color coordination, Olive Drab pairs beautifully with blue tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring green and orange hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its cool (green) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Valspar is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from MPC, Sherwin-Williams, Behr and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Olive Drab projects a confident, tailored sophistication associated with classic nautical and Art Deco aesthetics. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for organic modern, biophilic, and mid-century aesthetics. As part of the Valspar palette, Olive Drab benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. Because Olive Drab has a low LRV, it can look dramatically different under incandescent versus daylight bulbs — always test a large swatch on the actual wall before committing. Deep shades generally benefit from a quality primer and may require an extra coat for even, streak-free coverage. Deep tones pair beautifully with velvet upholstery, burnished metal fixtures, dark-stained wood, and textured wallcoverings on adjacent surfaces. You can order Olive Drab (8003-28G) directly from Valspar or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.