Clary Sage → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for Sherwin Williams Clary Sage (SW 6178), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Clary Sage
If you love Sherwin Williams Clary Sage but need a Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Clary Sage (SW 6178) is a medium-dark green with muted sage undertones. A muted sage green. Earthy and organic. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 34) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Clary Sage and every Benjamin Moore 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 Benjamin Moore option is Sandy Hook Gray (HC-108) with a Delta E of 3.8, which is a "good match" level match. Sandy Hook Gray is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Clary Sage
Sandy Hook Gray is close.
| Clary Sage | Sandy Hook Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 34 | 34.28 |
| Hex | #ADB2A3 | #ADB0A4 |
| Undertone | Muted Sage | Sage Green-Gray |
| Family | Green | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Clary Sage has muted sage undertones. A muted sage green. Earthy and organic.
Sandy Hook Gray has sage green-gray undertones. A muted sage green from the Historical Collection. Earthy, organic, and timelessly sophisticated.
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
Clary Sage in Your Room
Soft sage in bright rooms. Warm gray-green in dim rooms.
Sandy Hook Gray in Your Room
In bright light, distinctly sage green. In dim rooms, a warm gray with green whispers.
LRV and Brightness
Clary Sage has an LRV of 34, while Sandy Hook Gray has an LRV of 34.28. 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 Clary Sage
Sherwin Williams recommends Clary Sage for: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, exterior. With an LRV of 34, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Sandy Hook Gray is recommended for: kitchen, living room, bedroom, exterior, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Sandy Hook Gray in the same rooms you planned for Clary Sage.
Clary Sage in Other Brands
Looking for Clary Sage equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Clary Sage (SW 6178) is Sandy Hook Gray (HC-108) with a Delta E of 3.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Sandy Hook Gray 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. Clary Sage is a Sherwin Williams color with muted sage undertones and an LRV of 34. Sandy Hook Gray is a Benjamin Moore color with sage green-gray undertones and an LRV of 34.28. 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 Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore 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.