Cinder → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Sherwin Williams Cinder (SW 9170), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Cinder
If you love Sherwin Williams Cinder 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.
Cinder (SW 9170) is a dark gray with warm charcoal undertones. A warm, dark charcoal. Between Peppercorn and Gauntlet Gray. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 13) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cinder 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 Off Broadway (PPU18-17) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Off Broadway is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Cinder
Off Broadway is close.
| Cinder | Off Broadway | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 13 | 14 |
| Hex | #75736E | #7F7C77 |
| Undertone | Warm Charcoal | Warm Charcoal |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Cinder has warm charcoal undertones. A warm, dark charcoal. Between Peppercorn and Gauntlet Gray.
Off Broadway has warm charcoal undertones. A dark, warm charcoal gray. Rich and dramatic without being 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. Cinder's warm charcoal quality may read differently than Off Broadway's warm 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
Cinder in Your Room
Dark and warm. Shows brown warmth in bright light.
Off Broadway in Your Room
Reads as a warm dark gray. The warmth keeps it approachable and sophisticated.
LRV and Brightness
Cinder has an LRV of 13, while Off Broadway 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 Cinder
Sherwin Williams recommends Cinder for: accent wall, exterior, front door, cabinets. With an LRV of 13, 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.
Off Broadway is recommended for: accent wall, front door, cabinets, exterior trim, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Off Broadway in the same rooms you planned for Cinder.
Cinder in Other Brands
Looking for Cinder equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Cinder (SW 9170) is Off Broadway (PPU18-17) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Off Broadway 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. Cinder is a Sherwin Williams color with warm charcoal undertones and an LRV of 13. Off Broadway is a Behr color with warm charcoal undertones and an LRV of 14. 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.