Cavern Clay 7701 is a brown paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It has a hex value of #AC6B53, LRV 20 and a warm (golden) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Spicy Twist from Kilz (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #AC6B53 · 7701
Cavern Clay
20%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
More about Cavern Clay
Sherwin-Williams' 2019 Color of the Year, Cavern Clay is the warm terracotta that helped bring earthy, sun-baked color back into style. At LRV 20 it's a rich, grounded clay — orange-brown with a weathered, Southwestern warmth — that feels organic rather than loud, especially on an accent wall, a powder room, or built-ins.
As a deep warm tone it glows under warm light and deepens in shadow. It pairs naturally with creamy whites, rattan, leather, and greenery. Benjamin Moore Audubon Russet is its near-identical cross-brand match, with Behr Orange Flambe very close.
Cavern Clay Technical Profile
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Cavern Clay in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Cavern Clay in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Sherwin-WilliamsCavern Clay
Nearly identical
KilzSpicy Twist
Spicy Twist
Kilz
Nearly identical
Bear Claw
Valspar
Nearly identical
Audubon Russet
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Orange Flambe
Behr
Very similar
Copper Beech
PPG
Very similar
Caramel Candy
Vista Paint
Very similar
Ruddy Oak
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Sizzling Hot
Hirshfield's
Very similar
Brandi-Ed Orange
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Marmelo
Farrow & Ball
Visible difference
Clay .07
Colorhouse
Visible difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Cavern Clay — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Cavern Clay
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Cavern Clay
#AC6B53
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#AEA584
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Cavern Clay
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Cavern Clay 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 Cavern Clay.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Cavern Clay — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Cavern Clay have?
Cavern Clay by Sherwin-Williams has a warm (golden) undertone and sits in the brown color family. The undertone shifts with light — warmer under 2700K bulbs, cleaner and cooler under 4000K daylight — so sample Cavern Clay in your own space before committing.
What colors match Cavern Clay from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cavern Clay are Spicy Twist by Kilz (a near-identical match), Penny Luck by Kilz (a near-identical match), Bear Claw by Valspar (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Cavern Clay'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 Cavern Clay?
Cavern Clay has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 19.9, 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.
Explore More with Cavern Clay
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 Cavern Clay's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.