Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Salamander

If you love Benjamin Moore Salamander 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.

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 Sherwin Williams 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 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 (SW 6440) with a Delta E of 5.2, which is a "good match" level match. Emerald Isle is brighter. Salamander is darker and more muted. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Sherwin Williams Matches for Salamander

Emerald Isle SW 6440
Good match · ΔE 5.2

Emerald Isle is brighter. Salamander is darker and more muted.

SalamanderEmerald Isle
LRV5.5510
Hex#3E4B3C#516B56
UndertoneVery Dark Forest GreenRich Emerald
FamilyGreenGreen

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.

Emerald Isle has rich emerald undertones. A rich, deep emerald green. Bold and dramatic.

These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.

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.

Emerald Isle in Your Room

In bright light, vibrant emerald. In dim rooms, a deep, dark green. Statement-making.

LRV and Brightness

Salamander has an LRV of 5.55, while Emerald Isle has an LRV of 10. 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.

Emerald Isle is recommended for: accent wall, powder room, front door, office, dining room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Emerald Isle in the same rooms you planned for Salamander.

Salamander in Other Brands

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Sherwin Williams match for Salamander (2148-10) is Emerald Isle (SW 6440) with a Delta E of 5.2, which rates as a "good match" match. Emerald Isle is brighter. Salamander is darker and more muted. 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. Emerald Isle is a Sherwin Williams color with rich emerald undertones and an LRV of 10. With a Delta E of 5.2, 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 5.2, 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.

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.