Ref. #CC9B5C · 6389
Butternut
37%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Butternut Technical Profile
What color is Butternut? It's a medium warm orange with the hex code #CC9B5C. Colors similar to Butternut include Behr Hammered Gold, PPG Bran Muffin, Kilz Aztec Yellow. Butternut has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Its LRV of 37 gives Butternut depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with warm whites like White Dove, white oak floors, and unlacquered brass or copper hardware. Terracotta tile or deep green plants complete an earthy warm palette. Oranges glow under 2700K warm bulbs, deepening into rich amber. Under 4000K cool light they can lose warmth and shift toward beige — particularly true for muted or dusty oranges.
Colors Similar to Butternut
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Butternut
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Butternut
#CC9B5C
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#B5B979
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Butternut
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Butternut 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 Sherwin-Williams Colors
Other Sherwin-Williams colors close to Butternut.
More orange colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the orange family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Butternut — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Butternut have?
Butternut by Sherwin-Williams has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the orange color family.
What colors match Butternut from other brands?
The closest matches are Hammered Gold by Behr (#CB9B5E), Bran Muffin by PPG (#CC9859), Aztec Yellow by Kilz (#CA9D62). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Butternut?
Butternut has an LRV of 37.1, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Butternut
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 Butternut's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.