Char Brown 2137-20 is a brown paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #5B5041, estimated LRV 8 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Bad Hair Day from Vista Paint (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Benjamin Moore · #5B5041 · 2137-20
Char Brown
8%Estimated LRV
NeutralUndertone
Char Brown Technical Profile
HEX Code#5B5041
RGB91, 80, 65
Estimated LRV8.3
UndertoneNeutral
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familybrown
BrandBenjamin Moore
Test it in your room
Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Compare alternatives to Char Brown
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Bad Hair Day
Vista Paint
#5C5142
Close digital match
Afternoon Tea
PPG
#594E40
Close digital match
Brown Suede
Hirshfield's
#5B4F41
Close digital match
Tungsten
Sherwin-Williams
#584E41
Close digital match
Treemoss
Behr
#5E5445
Close digital match
Old Footlocker
Dutch Boy
#5D513E
Close digital match
Harvest Brown
Valspar
#605649
Similar digital color
Haberdashery
Dunn-Edwards
#5B524A
Similar digital color
Clay .06
Colorhouse
#675544
Similar digital color
Binoculars
Kilz
#504A43
Similar digital color
Pearl Beige
RAL
#6A5D4D
Similar digital color
Reduced Green
Farrow & Ball
#5C594B
Visible digital difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Char Brown — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Char Brown
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Char Brown
#5B5041
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#797C53
Trim & Molding
Digital white
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Char Brown
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Char Brown Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
Other Benjamin Moore colors close to Char Brown.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Char Brown — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Char Brown have?
Char Brown by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and sits in the brown color family. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Char Brown from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Char Brown are Bad Hair Day by Vista Paint (a close digital match), Stony Field by Vista Paint (a close digital match), Afternoon Tea by PPG (a close digital match) — the best options for getting Char Brown's look from a brand your local store carries. Confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Char Brown?
Char Brown has a estimated lightness value of 8.3, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a deep, dramatic color best saved for accent walls, dining rooms, and cozy spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light.
Explore More with Char Brown
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Char Brown's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.