Ref. #6E543C · 6146
Umber
10%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Umber Technical Profile
What color is Umber? It's a dark warm brown with the hex code #6E543C. Colors similar to Umber include Behr Ancient Root, Behr Clockworks, Benjamin Moore Brown Tar. Umber has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 10, Umber creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Umber pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Umber
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Umber
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Umber
#6E543C
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#858458
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Umber
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Umber 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 Umber.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Umber — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Umber have?
Umber by Sherwin-Williams has a neutral undertone and belongs to the brown color family.
What colors match Umber from other brands?
The closest matches are Ancient Root by Behr (#70553E), Clockworks by Behr (#73583F), Brown Tar by Benjamin Moore (#6F5541). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Umber?
Umber has an LRV of 10.0, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Umber
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 Umber's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.