Cavern Clay 7701 is a brown paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It has a hex value of #AC6B53, estimated 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.
Sherwin-Williams · #AC6B53 · 7701
Cavern Clay
20%Estimated LRV
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
HEX Code#AC6B53
RGB172, 107, 83
Estimated LRV19.9
UndertoneWarm (Golden)
Digital swatches and calculated matches are approximations. Catalog LRV values may be calculated estimates, not manufacturer measurements. Data and matching method. Check the brand reference and physical samples before purchase.
Color Familybrown
BrandSherwin-Williams
Test it in your room
Place physical samples beside your flooring and trim. Check them in daylight and with your evening lights before buying paint.
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Compare alternatives to Cavern Clay
Digital candidates from other paint brands, ranked by color similarity. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Spicy Twist
Kilz
#AD6A53
Close digital match
Bear Claw
Valspar
#AB6A50
Close digital match
Audubon Russet
Benjamin Moore
#AF6C56
Close digital match
Orange Flambe
Behr
#A97059
Similar digital color
Copper Beech
PPG
#B1715A
Similar digital color
Caramel Candy
Vista Paint
#B2715B
Similar digital color
Ruddy Oak
Dunn-Edwards
#A5654E
Similar digital color
Sizzling Hot
Hirshfield's
#A36956
Similar digital color
Brandi-Ed Orange
Dutch Boy
#A46047
Similar digital color
Marmelo
Farrow & Ball
#A36E4C
Visible digital difference
Clay .07
Colorhouse
#C27355
Visible digital 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.
Generated palette previews
Colors That Work With Cavern Clay
These are generated digital colors, not named manufacturer paints. Use the palette tools to find paint candidates, then compare physical samples.
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
Digital 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. This is a digital classification, not a prediction of physical paint under every light. Compare samples in your own space.
What colors match Cavern Clay from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Cavern Clay are Spicy Twist by Kilz (a close digital match), Penny Luck by Kilz (a close digital match), Bear Claw by Valspar (a close digital 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 estimated lightness value 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.