El Capitan 1020-4 is a neutral paint color from PPG. It has a hex value of #B7A696, LRV 40 and a neutral undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Smoky Beige from Sherwin-Williams (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #B7A696 · 1020-4
El Capitan
40%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
El Capitan Technical Profile
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El Capitan in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to El Capitan in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
PPGEl Capitan
Nearly identical
Sherwin-WilliamsSmoky Beige
Smoky Beige
Sherwin-Williams
Nearly identical
Fossilwood
Dutch Boy
Nearly identical
Eiffel For You
Behr
Nearly identical
Timber Dust
Valspar
Nearly identical
Cotswold
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Stanford Stone
Dunn-Edwards
Nearly identical
Delicate Honeysweet
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Taupe View
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Coffee House
Kilz
Nearly identical
Light Gray
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
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 El Capitan
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
El Capitan
#B7A696
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#ADAD85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for El Capitan
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
El Capitan 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 El Capitan.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
El Capitan — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does El Capitan have?
El Capitan by PPG 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 El Capitan in your own space before committing.
What colors match El Capitan from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to El Capitan are Smoky Beige by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Utterly Beige by Sherwin-Williams (a near-identical match), Fossilwood by Dutch Boy (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting El Capitan'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 El Capitan?
El Capitan has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 39.5, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white — that makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light.
Explore More with El Capitan
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 El Capitan's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.