What is the difference between Primary Yellow and Lemon Yellow?

ΔE 15 (fair). Lemon Yellow is noticeably darker. Swatch colours are estimates.

Primary Yellow vs Lemon Yellow

Primary Yellow

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Code: PY175 / PW6 / PY74
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #fffd4a (estimate)

Lemon Yellow

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.952
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d8d31a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 14.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Lemon Yellow is noticeably darker than Primary Yellow.

Can I use Lemon Yellow instead of Primary Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Lemon Yellow is noticeably darker than Primary Yellow.

Can I use Primary Yellow instead of Lemon Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Primary Yellow is noticeably lighter.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.

See Primary Yellow on the colour wheel See Lemon Yellow on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Primary Yellow

Primary Yellow vs Bile Green (72.122)Game Color · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Lemon Yellow
Primary Yellow vs Yellow Green (70.954)Model Color · ΔE 15, fair
Primary Yellow vs Moon Yellow (72.005)Game Color · ΔE 16, loose

Other Golden paints close to Lemon Yellow

Lemon Yellow vs Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium (PY154)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Yellow
Lemon Yellow vs C.P. Cadmium Yellow MediumHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Yellow
Lemon Yellow vs Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue (PY74 / PY175 / PY83(HR70))Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Primary Yellow

All matches: Primary Yellow equivalents · Lemon Yellow equivalents