Banana Yellow
What Banana Yellow Actually Looks Like
Banana Yellow 2022-40 is exactly what its name promises: a vivid, ripe-banana yellow that sits squarely in the mid-tone range. It is neither a pale buttery whisper nor a deep goldenrod. It reads as a full, confident yellow in most lighting conditions, with enough saturation to feel energetic without tipping into neon territory.
Banana Yellow Undertones
Based on its RGB values, Banana Yellow carries a warm base with a subtle green lean. That green component keeps it from reading as a pure golden yellow and can become more noticeable in cooler or north-facing light, where the color may shift slightly toward a yellow-green. In warm incandescent light, that undertone softens and the color reads more straightforwardly warm and sunny.
Where Banana Yellow Works Best
This is a color built for spaces where you want genuine energy and optimism. It works well in kitchens, playrooms, breakfast nooks, and sunrooms where natural light is plentiful. In rooms with strong south or west exposure, it can feel very intense, so consider using it on a single accent wall rather than all four walls. It is approved for interior use only.
Where to put Banana Yellow
A kitchen with good natural light is one of the strongest settings for this color. It brings warmth to cabinetry or walls and plays well against white subway tile and stainless appliances. Keep countertops and upper cabinets lighter to prevent the room from feeling heavy.
Banana Yellow is a natural fit for a playroom. It is bright enough to feel fun and stimulating without the harshness of a primary yellow at full intensity. Pair it with white trim to keep the space feeling open.
A small breakfast nook benefits from this color's ability to mimic morning sunlight. Even on overcast days, the walls hold warmth. Because the space is small, the intensity stays lively rather than overwhelming.
In a sunroom with south or west exposure, use Banana Yellow on just one wall or as a ceiling color. Full-room application in very bright light can push the saturation further than expected.
What to Pair With Banana Yellow
No coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color. As a general guide, Banana Yellow 2022-40 pairs well with crisp whites, soft off-whites, warm grays, and deep navy or charcoal tones that give it a grounding contrast.
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Colors that clash with Banana Yellow
If a neighboring room is painted in a cool blue-gray, the contrast at the doorway can feel jarring and make the yellow look greener than it actually is.
Yellow and purple sit opposite each other on the color wheel, which sounds like it should work as a complement. In practice, saturated versions of both in the same room compete loudly and tire the eye quickly.
Heavily orange pine or cherry floors can clash with the green lean in Banana Yellow, creating a muddy or unsettled feeling underfoot.
Common questions
The LRV is 74.58, which places it firmly in the light-to-medium range. It reflects a solid amount of light but is not as airy as a pastel. You will get a lively, present color on the walls rather than a soft hint of yellow.
It can. The color has a subtle green component in its makeup. In north-facing rooms or under cool LED or fluorescent lighting, that green lean becomes more apparent. In warm incandescent light or strong natural sunlight, it reads as a cleaner, warmer yellow.
No. This color is listed for interior use only in Benjamin Moore's lineup.
For walls, an eggshell finish strikes a good balance between washability and a soft, non-glary surface. In a kitchen or playroom where scrubbing matters, a satin finish holds up better. Avoid flat finish in high-traffic areas since the pigment saturation will show every mark.
The Benjamin Moore code is 2022-40 and the hex value is #FFE765. Both render in the color spec block on this page.