Finding a Behr Equivalent for Salamander

If you love Benjamin Moore Salamander but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Salamander (2148-10) is a dark green with very dark forest green undertones. One of BM's darkest greens. A near-black forest green that reads as dark and dramatic. The color of deep woods at twilight. For those who want green taken to its boldest extreme. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 5.55) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Salamander and every Behr 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.

Honestly, Behr does not have a perfect equivalent for Salamander. The closest option is Mineral (PPU18-20) with a Delta E of 9, but at that distance the difference will be visible. No close dark green Behr match. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a Behr store.

Behr Matches for Salamander

Mineral PPU18-20
No good match · ΔE 9

No close dark green Behr match.

SalamanderMineral
LRV5.556
Hex#3E4B3C#514F4C
UndertoneVery Dark Forest GreenWarm Dark Charcoal
FamilyGreenGray

Undertone Comparison

Salamander has very dark forest green undertones. One of BM's darkest greens. A near-black forest green that reads as dark and dramatic. The color of deep woods at twilight. For those who want green taken to its boldest extreme.

Mineral has warm dark charcoal undertones. A very dark, warm charcoal-brown. Behr's answer to Iron Ore and Wrought Iron. Rich and dramatic, with brown warmth that keeps it from reading as a flat, cold black.

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. Salamander's very dark forest green quality may read differently than Mineral's warm dark charcoal 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

Salamander in Your Room

In bright light, you can see the dark green. In dim rooms, it reads as near-black with green depth. Extremely dramatic and moody.

Mineral in Your Room

In bright light, the warm brown undertone is visible. In dim rooms, it approaches black. The warmth gives it life that a true black cannot. Stunning on front doors and accent walls.

LRV and Brightness

Salamander has an LRV of 5.55, while Mineral has an LRV of 6. 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 Salamander

Benjamin Moore recommends Salamander for: accent wall, front door, exterior trim, powder room, dining room. With an LRV of 5.55, 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.

Mineral is recommended for: front door, accent wall, exterior trim, shutters, cabinets. 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.

Salamander in Other Brands

Looking for Salamander equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Behr match for Salamander (2148-10) is Mineral (PPU18-20) with a Delta E of 9, which rates as a "no good match" match. No close dark green Behr match. 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. Salamander is a Benjamin Moore color with very dark forest green undertones and an LRV of 5.55. Mineral is a Behr color with warm dark charcoal undertones and an LRV of 6. With a Delta E of 9, 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 9, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.