How we match colors
The data
We use the color lists each brand publishes on its own website: 1,728 current Sherwin-Williams colors from Sherwin-Williams' public color service, and 3,733 Benjamin Moore colors from the color pages on benjaminmoore.com. For each color we keep the name, number, the published hex (screen) value and, where the brand publishes one, the LRV (light reflectance value). Data last refreshed 2026-10-22.
The math
We convert each published hex value to CIELAB (sRGB, D65 white point) and compare colors with CIEDE2000 Delta E, the standard formula for how different two colors look to the human eye. Lower numbers mean closer colors. Each color page lists the 3 lowest Delta E colors from the other brand.
What the closeness labels mean
These labels are our own plain-English rule of thumb, not an industry standard:
| Delta E | Label |
|---|---|
| under 1 | Practically identical |
| 1 to 2 | Very close (hard to tell apart side by side) |
| 2 to 3.5 | Close (a careful eye can see it side by side) |
| 3.5 to 5 | Noticeably different |
| 5 and up | Different |
The limits
These are computed closest matches from the brands' published digital color values. They are not official brand equivalents. A hex value is a screen approximation of a physical paint, and real paint changes with lighting, sheen, the surface and the number of coats. Always put a physical sample on your wall before you buy.
Independence
Paint Match Finder is independent and not affiliated with Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore. See our affiliate disclosure.