Hawthorne Yellow → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Hawthorne Yellow
If you love Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow but need a Behr 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 Behr, 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 Behr 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 Behr 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.
Honestly, Behr does not have a perfect equivalent for Hawthorne Yellow. The closest option is Wheat Bread (PPU4-13) with a Delta E of 7.5, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Wheat Bread is less yellow and more beige. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Behr store.
Behr Matches for Hawthorne Yellow
Wheat Bread is less yellow and more beige.
| Hawthorne Yellow | Wheat Bread | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 66.67 | 58 |
| Hex | #E1D0A3 | #D1C3AD |
| Undertone | Rich Golden Yellow | Warm Golden 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.
Wheat Bread has warm golden beige undertones. A warm, golden beige with honey undertones. More distinctly beige than Silver Drop. Cozy and traditional.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
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.
Wheat Bread in Your Room
The golden warmth is consistent and reliable. In south-facing rooms, it glows. In north-facing rooms, it still reads as a pleasant warm neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Hawthorne Yellow has an LRV of 66.67, while Wheat Bread has an LRV of 58. That means Hawthorne Yellow reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Hawthorne Yellow will make the space feel brighter and more open than Wheat Bread. If you are switching to the Behr option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
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.
Wheat Bread is recommended for: living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway, study. 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 Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4) is Wheat Bread (PPU4-13) with a Delta E of 7.5, which rates as a "approximate" match. Wheat Bread is less yellow and more beige. 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. Wheat Bread is a Behr color with warm golden beige undertones and an LRV of 58. With a Delta E of 7.5, 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 7.5, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.