Armadillo → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Behr Armadillo (PPU5-02), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Armadillo
If you love Behr Armadillo but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Armadillo (PPU5-02) is a dark brown with warm earthy brown undertones. A warm, earthy brown-gray. Named for the armored animal, it carries a tough, natural quality. Deeper than Hazelwood. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 17) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Armadillo and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Sherwin Williams option is Taupe Tone (SW 7633) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Taupe Tone is close. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Armadillo
Taupe Tone is close.
| Armadillo | Taupe Tone | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 23 |
| Hex | #8C8276 | #968F86 |
| Undertone | Warm Earthy Brown | Warm Taupe |
| Family | Brown | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Armadillo has warm earthy brown undertones. A warm, earthy brown-gray. Named for the armored animal, it carries a tough, natural quality. Deeper than Hazelwood.
Taupe Tone has warm taupe undertones. A warm, rich taupe. Deeper than Tony Taupe. Named for its tonal quality, it grounds rooms with earthy warmth.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Armadillo in Your Room
Warm and earthy. In bright rooms, the warm brown shows. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
Taupe Tone in Your Room
Warm and grounding. In bright rooms, a rich taupe. In dim rooms, cozy and intimate.
LRV and Brightness
Armadillo has an LRV of 17, while Taupe Tone has an LRV of 23. That means Taupe Tone reflects more light. If you switch from Armadillo to Taupe Tone, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for Armadillo
Behr recommends Armadillo for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, kitchen cabinets. With an LRV of 17, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Taupe Tone is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, dining room, office, bedroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Taupe Tone in the same rooms you planned for Armadillo.
Armadillo in Other Brands
Looking for Armadillo equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Armadillo (PPU5-02) is Taupe Tone (SW 7633) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Taupe Tone is close. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Armadillo is a Behr color with warm earthy brown undertones and an LRV of 17. Taupe Tone is a Sherwin Williams color with warm taupe undertones and an LRV of 23. With a Delta E of 4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.