What color was used for the arches in McDonald's first widely recognized 1962 logo?

The arches in McDonald's first widely recognized 1962 logo were golden yellow. The color linked the new corporate mark to the bright yellow arches that had already appeared on many McDonald's restaurant buildings.

The 1962 logo simplified the architecture into a stylized “M.” Its strong yellow shape was designed to be visible on signs and promotional materials, helping motorists identify the restaurants from a distance. The color also gave the mark a warm, energetic appearance that suited a family-oriented fast-food brand.

McDonald's often places the golden arches against red, especially on restaurant signs, packaging, and advertising. That pairing can lead people to describe the logo as red and yellow, but the arches themselves are the golden-yellow element.

Color treatments have varied in different applications and periods, including versions used on green restaurant backgrounds or monochrome materials. Those variations do not change the historical answer: the defining arches of the 1962 logo were golden yellow.