Basalt Powder → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Basalt Powder
If you love Sherwin Williams Basalt Powder 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 Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is a medium blue with soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 58) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Basalt Powder 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.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Behr option is Breezy Blue (PPU13-12) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Breezy Blue is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Basalt Powder
Breezy Blue is close.
| Basalt Powder | Breezy Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 58 | 55 |
| Hex | #C7D1D2 | #C3D1D4 |
| Undertone | Soft Blue | Soft Breezy Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Basalt Powder has soft blue undertones. A soft, powder-light blue-gray. Named for the volcanic rock ground to dust. More blue than Tidal Salt, lighter than Stardew.
Breezy Blue has soft breezy blue undertones. A soft, airy blue-gray. Lighter than Reflecting Pool, more blue than Silver Drop. Fresh and calming, like a clear sky.
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
Basalt Powder in Your Room
The blue is soft and powdery. In bright rooms, a gentle blue. In dim rooms, a cool, calming gray.
Breezy Blue in Your Room
The blue is soft and breezy. In bright rooms, fresh and inviting. In dim rooms, a cool, calming neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Basalt Powder has an LRV of 58, while Breezy Blue has an LRV of 55. 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 Basalt Powder
Sherwin Williams recommends Basalt Powder for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, hallway, laundry room. With an LRV of 58, this is a medium color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Breezy Blue is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, nursery, hallway, laundry room. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Breezy Blue in the same rooms you planned for Basalt Powder.
Basalt Powder in Other Brands
Looking for Basalt Powder equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Basalt Powder (SW 9162-2) is Breezy Blue (PPU13-12) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Breezy Blue is close. 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. Basalt Powder is a Sherwin Williams color with soft blue undertones and an LRV of 58. Breezy Blue is a Behr color with soft breezy blue undertones and an LRV of 55. With a Delta E of 3.8, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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 3.8, 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.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.