Merlot DE5055 is a red paint color from Dunn-Edwards. It has a hex value of #A44A56, LRV 14 and a warm (golden) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Travers Red from Benjamin Moore (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #A44A56 · DE5055
Merlot
14%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Merlot Technical Profile
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.
Merlot in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Merlot in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Dunn-EdwardsMerlot
Nearly identical
Benjamin MooreTravers Red
Travers Red
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Heart's Afire
PPG
Nearly identical
Strawberry Sorbet
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Cranberry Jam
Behr
Very similar
Punky Pink
Vista Paint
Very similar
Kirsch Red
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Punky Pink
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Upholstery Red
Valspar
Very similar
Cinnamon Apple
Kilz
Very similar
Incarnadine
Farrow & Ball
Visible difference
Red Violet
RAL
Visible difference
Comparing these brands? Order peel-and-stick samples of your top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Merlot
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Merlot
#A44A56
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#AA8A77
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Merlot
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Merlot 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 Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Merlot.
More red colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the red family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Merlot — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Merlot have?
Merlot by Dunn-Edwards has a warm (golden) undertone and sits in the red color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Merlot in your own space before committing.
What colors match Merlot from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Merlot are Travers Red by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Heart's Afire by PPG (a near-identical match), Wright Raspberry by PPG (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Merlot'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 Merlot?
Merlot has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 13.5, 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 Merlot
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 Merlot's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.