Phthalo Green vs Direct Green
Phthalo Green (Little Greene) and Direct Green (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the green family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 26-point LRV gap — 46 for Phthalo Green vs 19 for Direct Green — means Phthalo Green will open up a space more effectively. Where Phthalo Green leans green, Direct Green reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 24.0 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Phthalo Green vs Direct Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Phthalo Green on one side and Direct Green on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Phthalo Green comparisons
See how Phthalo Green stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 69 vs 46, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (52 vs 46) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 46 vs 30, Phthalo Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 46), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 60 vs 46, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 46 vs 43), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 46 vs 4, Phthalo Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 46), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
With LRVs of 46 and 44, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 84 vs 46, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 21, Phthalo Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (51 vs 46) makes Pigeon the marginally brighter of the two.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 46), opening up a space where Phthalo Green encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (46 vs 41) makes Phthalo Green the marginally brighter of the two.
Phthalo Green reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
With LRVs of 46 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 46 vs 31, Phthalo Green is decisively the brighter choice.