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Optimistic Yellow SW 6900
On-screen approximation from the published RGB value. Order a physical sample before you decide.
Undertone: Saturated yellow (a color, not a neutral)
In CIELAB, Optimistic Yellow sits at L* 89.9, a* -1.7, b* 31.4. Its hue angle is 93° and its chroma is 31.4, so it reads as an outright yellow rather than a neutral. It classifies as warm. Among Sherwin-Williams colors with a similar LRV (±5), it is warmer (more yellow) than 96%.
LRV 75.8: very light
Light Reflectance Value runs from 0 (absolute black) to 100 (perfect white). At 75.8, Optimistic Yellow is lighter than 91% of Sherwin-Williams colors. Reflects most light. Works in dim rooms, north-facing spaces, ceilings and trim; can look stark in strong southern light.
Closest Benjamin Moore match to Optimistic Yellow
Ranked by CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE) computed from published RGB values. Below 2 is hard to tell apart on the wall; above 4 is a different color.
| Color | Code | ΔE2000 | How close | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorne Yellow | HC-4 | 0.43 | Practically identical | |
| Traditional Yellow | 170 | 1.02 | Very close | |
| Ray of Light | CSP-910 | 1.08 | Very close |
Closest Behr match to Optimistic Yellow
Ranked by CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE) computed from published RGB values. Below 2 is hard to tell apart on the wall; above 4 is a different color. Behr does not publish LRV, so Behr values here are estimates.
| Color | Code | ΔE2000 | How close | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lily Bulb | P320-3 | 1.74 | Very close | |
| Windsong | 390C-3 | 1.77 | Very close | |
| Corn | PPH-02 | 1.86 | Very close |
Similar Sherwin-Williams colors
| Color | Code | ΔE2000 | How close | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glad Yellow | SW 6694 | 1.36 | Very close | |
| Venetian Yellow | SW 1666 | 1.58 | Very close | |
| Butter Up | SW 6681 | 1.77 | Very close | |
| Lantern Light | SW 6687 | 1.79 | Very close | |
| Glisten Yellow | SW 6912 | 1.80 | Very close | |
| Solé | SW 6896 | 1.95 | Very close |
Lighter and darker versions
Colors from Sherwin-Williams with nearly the same hue and saturation, one step lighter or darker.
- Enjoyable Yellow SW 6666 · darker, LRV 70.7
- Solaria SW 6688 · darker, LRV 69.8
- Naples Yellow SW 9021 · darker, LRV 69.0
Colors that go with Optimistic Yellow
Sherwin-Williams's own coordinating colors for Optimistic Yellow:
- Daffodil SW 6901
- Acacia Haze SW 9132
- Pure White SW 7005
Color-theory pairings — the nearest Sherwin-Williams color to each rotated hue, keeping the same lightness and saturation:
- Bewitching Blue SW 6960 · complementary (180°)
- Avid Apricot SW 6639 · analogous (−30°)
- Green Vibes SW 6928 · analogous (+30°)
- Blue Bauble SW 6948 · triadic (120°)
- Child's Play SW 6845 · triadic (240°)
Optimistic Yellow vs popular colors
- Hawthorne Yellow (Benjamin Moore HC-4, ΔE 0.4) is darker (LRV 71.3 vs 75.8).
- Beacon Hill Damask (Benjamin Moore HC-2, ΔE 4.1) is darker (LRV 68.0 vs 75.8), more blue/cool, more green, more muted.
- Concord Ivory (Benjamin Moore HC-12, ΔE 4.8) is darker (LRV 60.0 vs 75.8), more yellow/warm, more red/pink, more saturated.