Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore are the two paint brands most people compare when choosing interior colors. Both make premium paints in thousands of colors; the practical differences come down to where you buy, how their colors are coded, and which specific color you love.
Where you buy them
Sherwin-Williams sells mainly through its own company-run stores, so the staff, tinting machines and product lines are consistent from store to store. Benjamin Moore sells mainly through independent paint and hardware retailers, so availability and advice can vary by store.
How the color codes work
Sherwin-Williams colors use an "SW" number, such as SW 7029 for Agreeable Gray. Benjamin Moore codes show the collection: OC for the Off-White Collection (White Dove is OC-17), HC for Historical Colors (Revere Pewter is HC-172), AF for Affinity, plus numeric codes for the main color system. Always order by code, because some color names exist in both brands.
Popular color equivalents
No color is identical across brands, but many popular colors have close relatives. These are the closest pairs among the colors we've reviewed:
| Sherwin-Williams | Closest Benjamin Moore we measured | ΔE |
|---|---|---|
| Agreeable Gray SW 7029 | Revere Pewter HC-172 | 2.5 |
| Alabaster SW 7008 | Swiss Coffee OC-45 | 0.8 |
| Extra White SW 7006 | Chantilly Lace OC-65 | 1.5 |
| Repose Gray SW 7015 | Revere Pewter HC-172 | 2.3 |
| Sea Salt SW 6204 | Gray Owl OC-52 | 2.0 |
| Shoji White SW 7042 | Pale Oak OC-20 | 2.0 |
| Natural Linen SW 9109 | Edgecomb Gray HC-173 | 2.8 |
Closest among the colors reviewed on this site, by CIEDE2000 color difference. Around 1 is barely visible; 2–3 is visible side by side.
For the most-asked pair in detail, see Agreeable Gray vs Revere Pewter. Every color review lists its closest matches in the other brand.
Can one brand match the other's color?
Yes. Paint stores can computer-match any brand's color, but the match is mixed in the other brand's base and colorants, so it can come out slightly different, especially in deep colors. For an exact result, buy the original brand; for a close match, test a sample of the matched paint first.
Which brand should you choose?
Choose by color first: find the exact color you love, then buy that brand, or decide whether a close match is good enough. After that, convenience matters: a nearby store, good advice and the right product line for the job (wall, trim, cabinet or exterior paint). Browse Sherwin-Williams reviews and Benjamin Moore reviews to compare colors from each.
Product lines compared
Each brand sells several interior paint lines at different levels. These are the main interior lines each brand lists on its own website:
| Use | Benjamin Moore | Sherwin-Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Premium wall paint | Aura (the brand calls it its premium line) | Emerald |
| Everyday wall paint | Regal Select, ben | Duration Home, SuperPaint, Cashmere |
| Cabinets, doors and trim | Advance | Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel |
| Bathrooms and kitchens | Aura Bath & Spa, Kitchen & Bath | Pick a satin or pearl finish in the wall paint you choose |
| High-traffic walls | Scuff-X | Choose a scrubbable line and a satin finish |
| Ceilings | Waterborne Ceiling Paint | Premium Ceiling Paint |
Any color from either brand can be mixed into that brand's lines, so the line decides durability and finish, while the color decides the look. Lines and sheen names change over time; check the current range at your store.
Sheen names differ
The brands use different names for similar finishes. Sherwin-Williams groups "Eg-Shel" with satin and uses "Pearl" for the next level up, while Benjamin Moore uses "Eggshell" and then "Pearl/Satin". If you are matching an existing wall from the other brand, compare dried samples rather than names. Our paint sheen guide lines up both brands' names.
How close are the closest matches?
Some pairs are near-identical on a wall (a measured difference under 1, like Alabaster and Swiss Coffee). Others share a role but not a look: Agreeable Gray and Revere Pewter are both popular greiges, yet Revere Pewter is clearly deeper and warmer. Each review on this site lists its closest matches in the other brand, ranked by measured difference.
Which brand for which project?
- You already love a specific color: buy that brand. A computer match in the other brand gets close but uses different colorants.
- Kitchen cabinets and trim: both make dedicated enamels (Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel). Choose by the color and the store you can get help from.
- Bathrooms: Benjamin Moore offers paints made for humid rooms (Aura Bath & Spa, Kitchen & Bath). With Sherwin-Williams, use a satin or pearl finish in its wall paints.
- Whole-house repaint: buy where you can get consistent tinting and advice. Sherwin-Williams stores are company-run; Benjamin Moore is sold through independent dealers, so service varies by store.
Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-Williams: how the two brands compare FAQs
Is Benjamin Moore better than Sherwin-Williams?
Neither is better across the board. Both make premium paints; choose by the exact color you want, then by product line and a convenient store.
What is the Benjamin Moore equivalent of Agreeable Gray?
There is no exact one. The closest we measured is Revere Pewter (HC-172), which is darker and warmer.
Can Sherwin-Williams match Benjamin Moore colors?
Yes, by computer match, but the result is mixed in a different base and can differ slightly.
What is the Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Benjamin Moore Aura?
Both brands sell a top-tier wall paint: Aura is Benjamin Moore's premium line and Emerald is Sherwin-Williams'. Compare them in the sheen and finish you need.
Which paint is better for kitchen cabinets, Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams?
Both make paints for cabinets and trim: Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. Choose by the color you want and the store you can get help from.
Is Swiss Coffee the same as Alabaster?
They are very close: our measured difference is 0.8, below what most people notice on a wall. Swiss Coffee is a Benjamin Moore color; Alabaster is Sherwin-Williams.