Behr → Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Behr Subdued Hue 120E-3
The closest Sherwin-Williams colour is Artistic Taupe (SW 6030), at ΔE 1.41 — near-exact.
Artistic Taupe is a genuine substitute. At ΔE 1.41 the difference is smaller than most people can see on a wall, and smaller than the shift between two batches of the same colour.
Why people switch between Behr and Sherwin-Williams
Most people comparing Behr to Sherwin-Williams are not shopping for a new colour. They have already chosen one, and then hit a price difference or a painter who buys from a single supplier. The question is what goes on the wall instead.
How close Artistic Taupe really is
- Delta E (CIEDE2000)
- 1.41near-exact
- LRV
- 46.18Behr is 46
- Hex
- #C3B1AC#C6B1AD in Behr
Nearly the same lightness, more muted, with a small hue shift.
Behr and Sherwin-Williams publish LRV against their own measurements, and here the two disagree with the swatches: Artistic Taupe reads slightly darker than Subdued Hue in colour space while carrying the higher published LRV. Treat LRV as comparable within a brand, not across two.
Other Sherwin-Williams options
Worth knowing if Artistic Taupe is discontinued locally, or if you want to shift the colour slightly warmer or cooler.
- Insightful Rose SW 6023ΔE 1.44 · near-exact · Nearly the same lightness, more saturated.
- Chaise Mauve SW 6016ΔE 3.04 · very close · Nearly the same lightness, more muted, with a small hue shift. Its LRV is 0.7 points higher.
- Doeskin SW 6044ΔE 3.37 · very close · Nearly the same lightness, with a small hue shift. Its LRV is 1.1 points higher.