Sterling Forest 518 is a neutral paint color from Benjamin Moore. It has a hex value of #6E694F, LRV 14 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Paleo from Dutch Boy (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #6E694F · 518
Sterling Forest
14%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Sterling Forest Technical Profile
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Sterling Forest in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Sterling Forest in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Benjamin MooreSterling Forest
Nearly identical
Dutch BoyPaleo
Paleo
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Candle Wax
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Spruce Woods
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Candle Wax
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Thai Basil
Valspar
Nearly identical
Olive Orchard
PPG
Nearly identical
Anchorage Jacket
Kilz
Very similar
Butternut Wood
Behr
Very similar
Glass .06
Colorhouse
Very similar
Beige Grey
RAL
Very similar
Eclipse
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Cardamom
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Sterling Forest — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Sterling Forest
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Sterling Forest
#6E694F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#809060
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Sterling Forest
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Sterling Forest 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 Sterling Forest.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Sterling Forest — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Sterling Forest have?
Sterling Forest by Benjamin Moore has a neutral undertone and sits in the neutral color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Sterling Forest in your own space before committing.
What colors match Sterling Forest from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Sterling Forest are Paleo by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match), Candle Wax by Vista Paint (a near-identical match), Spruce Woods by Dunn-Edwards (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Sterling Forest'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 Sterling Forest?
Sterling Forest has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 14.0, 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 Sterling Forest
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 Sterling Forest's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.