India Yellow (66) is a deep, earthy mustard yellow from Farrow & Ball. It is one of the richest yellows in their palette, warm enough to make a small room feel like a sunny afternoon all year round, and earthy enough that it never looks brash. Farrow & Ball call it a very modern yellow, which is a surprising thing to say about a colour with such an old story behind its name.
It is a colour people either fall for at once or need a little persuading to try. Used well, it is one of the most rewarding shades on the card: cosy in a snug, glowing in a bathroom and handsome alongside deep browns and blue-blacks.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: India Yellow (66)
What colour is India Yellow?
India Yellow is a strong mustard with a good deal of earth in it, so it reads warm and slightly golden rather than bright or lemony. Farrow & Ball give it a light reflectance value (LRV) of 33.3, which places it firmly in the mid tones: it will not bounce light around like a pale yellow, but it will not close a room in like a dark colour either.
Like all deeper yellows it changes with the light. In bright sun it glows; in a north-facing room it becomes deeper and more ochre. Farrow & Ball note that it can look cosy and surprisingly un-yellow beside a dark tone such as Tanner's Brown (255).
The story behind the name
India Yellow takes its name from a historic pigment. As Farrow & Ball explain, Indian yellow was traditionally collected from the urine of cows fed on a special diet of mango leaves. The paint borrows the name and the deep, glowing warmth that goes with it.
It is worth knowing that Little Greene make a different colour with a similar name, Indian Yellow (335), a strong, vibrant yellow with more saturation. The two are not the same shade, so sample both side by side if you are torn.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: India Yellow (66)
Where India Yellow works best
Farrow & Ball suggest it looks just as good in moderation as it does all over a smaller room, where it creates a cosy escape. A few places where we think it is especially good:
- Snugs, studies and dining rooms. Rooms used in the evening, where its warmth comes alive under lamplight.
- Bathrooms and cloakrooms. Taken across panelling, walls and even the bath, as above, it turns a small space into something memorable.
- Hallways. A welcoming colour for a narrow entrance, especially with a darker colour on the woodwork and stairs.
- Furniture and doors. A single painted cabinet or a door in India Yellow adds warmth to a neutral scheme.
Because it is a mid tone, Farrow & Ball recommend their primer and undercoat in the Mid Tones shade beneath it. See our primers page for the right one for your surface.
Colours to pair with India Yellow
- Deep browns and blacks. Tanner's Brown (255) and Off-Black (57) on woodwork or furniture ground the yellow and make it feel grown-up.
- Blue-black and grey. Railings (31) or Mole's Breath (276) give a sharper, more contemporary contrast.
- Soft whites. Farrow & Ball suggest Matchstick (2013) as its complementary white, and Shaded White (201) or Shadow White (282) work well on ceilings and in adjoining rooms.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Tanner's Brown (255)
Which finish to choose
- Estate Emulsion. The classic Farrow & Ball chalky matt, with a 2% sheen that gives India Yellow its softest, deepest look on walls.
- Modern Emulsion. A 7% sheen matt that is washable, better for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
- Flat Eggshell. A 20% sheen for woodwork, panelling and furniture.
Questions we are often asked
Will India Yellow work in a north-facing room?
Yes. Its warmth helps balance cool north light, though it will look deeper and more ochre than in a sunny room. Our guide to room orientation explains why.
Is India Yellow too strong for a whole room?
Not in a small room, where it can feel wonderfully enveloping. In a large, bright room, try it on one element first, such as panelling or a dresser.
How do I test it?
Order a sample pot and paint two coats on a large board, then look at it morning and evening.
