Cedar Key → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Benjamin Moore Cedar Key (OC-16), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for Cedar Key
If you love Benjamin Moore Cedar Key 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 Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Cedar Key (OC-16) is a light greige with warm beige-cream undertones. A very light warm neutral between white and greige. Subtle warmth without being obviously beige. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 72.45) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Cedar Key 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 City Loft (SW 7631) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. City Loft is close. Both are ultra-light warm greiges. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for Cedar Key
City Loft is close. Both are ultra-light warm greiges.
| Cedar Key | City Loft | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 72.45 | 70 |
| Hex | #E1DBD0 | #DED8CE |
| Undertone | Warm Beige-Cream | Light Warm Greige |
| Family | Greige | Greige |
Undertone Comparison
Cedar Key has warm beige-cream undertones. A very light warm neutral between white and greige. Subtle warmth without being obviously beige.
City Loft has light warm greige undertones. A very light greige with warm undertones. Barely there color. Lighter than Agreeable Gray, warmer than a white.
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
Cedar Key in Your Room
Reads as a warm off-white with a touch of depth. Versatile and universally flattering.
City Loft in Your Room
Reads as a warm off-white with a whisper of greige in most conditions. Versatile and universally flattering.
LRV and Brightness
Cedar Key has an LRV of 72.45, while City Loft has an LRV of 70. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Cedar Key
Benjamin Moore recommends Cedar Key for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room. With an LRV of 72.45, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
City Loft is recommended for: whole house, bedroom, hallway, living room, bathroom. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use City Loft in the same rooms you planned for Cedar Key.
Cedar Key in Other Brands
Looking for Cedar Key equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for Cedar Key (OC-16) is City Loft (SW 7631) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. City Loft is close. Both are ultra-light warm greiges. 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. Cedar Key is a Benjamin Moore color with warm beige-cream undertones and an LRV of 72.45. City Loft is a Sherwin Williams color with light warm greige undertones and an LRV of 70. With a Delta E of 3.4, 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 3.4, 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.