Hawthorne Yellow → PPG
The closest PPG matches for Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a PPG Equivalent for Hawthorne Yellow
If you love Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow but need a PPG alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers PPG, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4) is a light yellow with rich golden yellow undertones. A warm, golden yellow from the Historical Collection. Not bright or neon, but rich and buttery. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 66.67) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Hawthorne Yellow and every PPG color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest PPG option is Mushroom Cap (PPG1024-2) with a Delta E of 4.2, which is a "good match" level match. Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
PPG Matches for Hawthorne Yellow
Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison.
| Hawthorne Yellow | Mushroom Cap | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 66.67 | 62 |
| Hex | #E1D0A3 | #D4CDC2 |
| Undertone | Rich Golden Yellow | Warm Mushroom Beige |
| Family | Yellow | Beige |
Undertone Comparison
Hawthorne Yellow has rich golden yellow undertones. A warm, golden yellow from the Historical Collection. Not bright or neon, but rich and buttery.
Mushroom Cap has warm mushroom beige undertones. A warm, light beige with the organic quality of a wild mushroom cap. Earthy and natural at a light depth.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Hawthorne Yellow's rich golden yellow quality may read differently than Mushroom Cap's warm mushroom beige character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Hawthorne Yellow in Your Room
Reads as a warm, golden tone in all lighting. In bright rooms, it glows beautifully.
Mushroom Cap in Your Room
Warm and organic. Reads as a warm, light beige in most rooms.
LRV and Brightness
Hawthorne Yellow has an LRV of 66.67, while Mushroom Cap has an LRV of 62. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Hawthorne Yellow
Benjamin Moore recommends Hawthorne Yellow for: kitchen, dining room, bedroom, hallway, accent wall. With an LRV of 66.67, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Mushroom Cap is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Hawthorne Yellow in Other Brands
Looking for Hawthorne Yellow equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest PPG match for Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4) is Mushroom Cap (PPG1024-2) with a Delta E of 4.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. Similar character, though some difference is visible in direct comparison. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Hawthorne Yellow is a Benjamin Moore color with rich golden yellow undertones and an LRV of 66.67. Mushroom Cap is a PPG color with warm mushroom beige undertones and an LRV of 62. With a Delta E of 4.2, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4.2, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.