Backwoods → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Backwoods (469), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Backwoods
If you love Benjamin Moore Backwoods but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Backwoods (469) is a dark green with deep forest green undertones. BM's 2024 Color of the Year. A deep, rich forest green that brings the outdoors in. Bold enough for a statement but grounded by gray undertones that prevent it from feeling juvenile. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 10.45) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Backwoods and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Sherwin Williams option is Emerald Isle Alt (SW 6207) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Retreat is close. Both are deep, moody forest greens. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Backwoods
Retreat is close. Both are deep, moody forest greens.
| Backwoods | Emerald Isle Alt | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 10.45 | 14 |
| Hex | #5D6F5B | #6E7E73 |
| Undertone | Deep Forest Green | Muted Forest |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Backwoods has deep forest green undertones. BM's 2024 Color of the Year. A deep, rich forest green that brings the outdoors in. Bold enough for a statement but grounded by gray undertones that prevent it from feeling juvenile.
Emerald Isle Alt has muted forest undertones. A muted, medium-dark forest green with gray undertones. More restrained than a bold emerald. The kind of green that feels like a walk through the woods on an overcast day. Popular for exteriors and accent walls.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Backwoods's deep forest green quality may read differently than Emerald Isle Alt's muted forest character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Backwoods in Your Room
In bright light, the forest green is lush and natural. In dim rooms, it reads as a very dark, moody green-gray. Under warm light, the warmth of the green emerges beautifully.
Emerald Isle Alt in Your Room
In bright light, the green is earthy and natural. In dim rooms, it reads as a sophisticated dark gray-green. Under warm light, the warmth of the green emerges. A versatile dark green.
LRV and Brightness
Backwoods has an LRV of 10.45, while Emerald Isle Alt has an LRV of 14. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Backwoods
Benjamin Moore recommends Backwoods for: accent wall, exterior, kitchen cabinets, front door, office. With an LRV of 10.45, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Emerald Isle Alt is recommended for: exterior, accent wall, kitchen cabinets, front door, office. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Backwoods in Other Brands
Looking for Backwoods equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Backwoods (469) is Emerald Isle Alt (SW 6207) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Retreat is close. Both are deep, moody forest greens. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Backwoods is a Benjamin Moore color with deep forest green undertones and an LRV of 10.45. Emerald Isle Alt is a Sherwin Williams color with muted forest undertones and an LRV of 14. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.