Manchester Tan → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (HC-81), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Manchester Tan
If you love Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Manchester Tan (HC-81) is a light beige with warm yellow-beige undertones. A warm, golden beige with yellow undertones. Richer and more distinctly beige than Revere Pewter. Cozy and traditional. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 63.79) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Manchester Tan and every Behr 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 Behr option is Studio Taupe (PPU5-06) with a Delta E of 5.3, which is a "good match" level match. Studio Taupe is darker and less yellow. Manchester Tan is lighter and warmer. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Manchester Tan
Studio Taupe is darker and less yellow. Manchester Tan is lighter and warmer.
| Manchester Tan | Studio Taupe | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 63.79 | 45 |
| Hex | #D8CDB7 | #B9AEA0 |
| Undertone | Warm Yellow-Beige | Warm Taupe |
| Family | Beige | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Manchester Tan has warm yellow-beige undertones. A warm, golden beige with yellow undertones. Richer and more distinctly beige than Revere Pewter. Cozy and traditional.
Studio Taupe has warm taupe undertones. A rich, warm taupe with balanced beige-gray undertones. Darker and warmer than Silver Drop, with more presence on the wall.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Manchester Tan's warm yellow-beige quality may read differently than Studio Taupe's warm taupe character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Manchester Tan in Your Room
The yellow warmth is consistent across lighting. In south-facing rooms, it reads as a warm golden tan. In north light, it stays warm but slightly more muted.
Studio Taupe in Your Room
Reads as a warm, medium neutral in most rooms. The warmth is consistent and reliable. A strong choice for feature walls and cozy spaces.
LRV and Brightness
Manchester Tan has an LRV of 63.79, while Studio Taupe has an LRV of 45. That means Manchester Tan reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, Manchester Tan will make the space feel brighter and more open than Studio Taupe. If you are switching to the Behr option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.
Best Rooms for Manchester Tan
Benjamin Moore recommends Manchester Tan for: living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom, study. With an LRV of 63.79, 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.
Studio Taupe is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, accent wall, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Studio Taupe in the same rooms you planned for Manchester Tan.
Manchester Tan in Other Brands
Looking for Manchester Tan equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Manchester Tan (HC-81) is Studio Taupe (PPU5-06) with a Delta E of 5.3, which rates as a "good match" match. Studio Taupe is darker and less yellow. Manchester Tan is lighter and warmer. 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. Manchester Tan is a Benjamin Moore color with warm yellow-beige undertones and an LRV of 63.79. Studio Taupe is a Behr color with warm taupe undertones and an LRV of 45. With a Delta E of 5.3, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 5.3, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.