Prelude 9620 is a neutral paint color from Sherwin-Williams. It has a hex value of #5B564F, LRV 9 and a warm (golden) undertone. Its closest cross-brand match is Forest Black from PPG (nearly identical), with 49 more equivalents across other brands.
Ref. #5B564F · 9620
Prelude
9%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Prelude Technical Profile
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Prelude in Every Brand
The closest equivalent to Prelude in each major paint brand, ranked by how close the match reads. Always verify with a physical sample. How we calculate match accuracy →
Sherwin-WilliamsPrelude
Nearly identical
PPGForest Black
Forest Black
PPG
Nearly identical
English Tea Party
Valspar
Nearly identical
Sturgis Gray
Hirshfield's
Nearly identical
Dragon's Breath
Benjamin Moore
Nearly identical
Equestrian Leather
Behr
Nearly identical
Sturgis Gray
Vista Paint
Nearly identical
Chiaroscuro
Dunn-Edwards
Very similar
Ironside
Dutch Boy
Very similar
Dark Umber
Kilz
Very similar
Reduced Green
Farrow & Ball
Very similar
Metal .05
Colorhouse
Very similar
Pearl Beige
RAL
Visible difference
Seeing a close call? Order a peel-and-stick sample of Prelude — or sample it next to its top matches — Samplize buy 8 peel-and-stick samples, get 2 free.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Prelude
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Prelude
#5B564F
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#818558
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Prelude
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Prelude 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 Prelude.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Prelude — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Prelude have?
Prelude by Sherwin-Williams has a warm (golden) 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 Prelude in your own space before committing.
What colors match Prelude from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Prelude are Forest Black by PPG (a near-identical match), English Tea Party by Valspar (a near-identical match), Turkish Coffee by Valspar (a near-identical match) — the best options for getting Prelude'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 Prelude?
Prelude has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 9.4, 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 Prelude
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 Prelude's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.