Authentic Brown works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 9 it reads as a deep, enveloping shade — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #61514A · 60YR 09/086
Authentic Brown
9%LRV Value
Authentic Brown Technical Profile
What color is PPG Authentic Brown (60YR 09/086)? It's a dark warm gray — hex #61514A, LRV 9. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Authentic Brown is Benjamin Moore Branchport Brown — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Cabin Plank and Behr Scented Clove also close. With an LRV of 9, Authentic Brown creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Authentic Brown pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. As a deeper neutral, Authentic Brown reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Authentic Brown in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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.
Colors Similar to Authentic Brown
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Branchport Brown
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Cabin Plank
Valspar
Nearly identical
Scented Clove
Behr
Nearly identical
Brownstone
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Rawhide
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Bargeboard Brown
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Heritage Brown
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Chateau Brown
Sherwin-Williams
Very similar
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Authentic Brown
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Authentic Brown
#61514A
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#857D59
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Authentic Brown
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Authentic 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Authentic Brown.
More gray colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the gray family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Authentic Brown — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Authentic Brown from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Authentic Brown are Branchport Brown by Benjamin Moore (a near-identical match), Cabin Plank by Valspar (a near-identical match), Scented Clove by Behr (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Authentic Brown's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Authentic Brown?
Authentic Brown has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 8.9, 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. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Authentic 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.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Authentic Brown depends on the room. Here's how to choose.