London Stone → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Farrow & Ball London Stone (No.6), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for London Stone
If you love Farrow & Ball London Stone 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 Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
London Stone (No.6) is a dark taupe with warm london stone undertones. A warm, earthy taupe named for the ancient stone of London. Rich and grounding, darker than Mouse's Back. The color of centuries-old masonry. 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 London Stone 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 Mink (SW 6004) with a Delta E of 4.8, which is a "good match" level match. Mink is closer. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for London Stone
Mink is closer.
| London Stone | Mink | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 22 |
| Hex | #8B8378 | #958D83 |
| Undertone | Warm London Stone | Warm Brown-Taupe |
| Family | Taupe | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
London Stone has warm london stone undertones. A warm, earthy taupe named for the ancient stone of London. Rich and grounding, darker than Mouse's Back. The color of centuries-old masonry.
Mink has warm brown-taupe undertones. A warm, rich taupe with brown undertones. Darker and warmer than most greiges. Named for the fur it resembles: luxurious, warm, and deeply sophisticated. A bold choice for accent walls and exteriors.
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
London Stone in Your Room
Warm and grounding at a substantial depth. In bright rooms, the earthy warmth shows. In dim rooms, cozy and atmospheric.
Mink in Your Room
The brown warmth is consistent and enveloping. In bright rooms, the taupe quality is rich and appealing. In dim rooms, it deepens into a warm, moody dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
London Stone has an LRV of 17, while Mink has an LRV of 22. 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 London Stone
Farrow & Ball recommends London Stone for: living room, dining room, accent wall, study, office. 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.
Mink is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, powder room. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
London Stone in Other Brands
Looking for London Stone equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for London Stone (No.6) is Mink (SW 6004) with a Delta E of 4.8, which rates as a "good match" match. Mink is closer. 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. London Stone is a Farrow & Ball color with warm london stone undertones and an LRV of 17. Mink is a Sherwin Williams color with warm brown-taupe undertones and an LRV of 22. With a Delta E of 4.8, 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 4.8, 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.