The arches in McDonald's official “Golden Arches” name are gold.
The name refers to the large yellow-gold arches that became a defining feature of McDonald's restaurant architecture and later its logo. Their bright color helped the buildings stand out against roads, parking areas, and surrounding commercial signs.
Although people commonly call the symbol the “yellow arches,” McDonald's branding history uses the established name “Golden Arches.” The phrase describes both the visual color and the symbolic importance of the arches as the company's signature mark.
The color should not be confused with every version of McDonald's signage. Logos have appeared in different color combinations depending on the background, country, and design system, but the arches themselves are historically associated with gold. The visual idea began with restaurant architecture before becoming a globally recognized corporate emblem.