Cavern Clay (SW 7701)
SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay.
About Sherwin Williams Cavern Clay
Cavern Clay (SW 7701) is a brown from Sherwin Williams's collection with an LRV of 15 and warm terracotta undertones. SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay.
At an LRV of just 15, Cavern Clay is a dark, dramatic color that absorbs most of the light that hits it. This makes it perfect for creating bold, moody statements on accent walls, front doors, shutters, and exterior trim. It commands attention and creates a striking contrast with white or light-colored trim. Use it where you want real visual impact. In full room applications, generous lighting and light-colored furnishings prevent the space from feeling oppressive.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Cavern Clay has an LRV of 15, placing it in the dark range on the 0-to-100 scale. LRV measures the percentage of visible light a color reflects. A pure black has an LRV of 0 and a pure white has an LRV of 100. Understanding a color's LRV helps you predict how it will feel in your space: higher LRV means brighter and more spacious, lower LRV means cozier and more intimate.
Undertone Analysis
Cavern Clay has warm terracotta undertones. Undertones are the subtle background colors that become visible in different lighting conditions. Even colors that look "neutral" in the store will reveal their undertones once they are on your walls and interacting with natural light, artificial light, and the colors around them.
SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay. Warm undertones like these pair naturally with other warm elements: honey-toned wood floors, brass and gold hardware, cream-colored textiles, and warm-toned furnishings. They can clash with strongly cool elements like icy blue accents or chrome fixtures, though the effect depends on the strength of the undertone.
Lighting Behavior
In bright light, the terracotta glows with warmth. In dim rooms, it reads as a rich, warm brown. Under warm light, the orange-red comes alive.
Every paint color looks different depending on the light source in your room. South-facing rooms get warm, direct sunlight that brings out yellow and warm undertones. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that emphasizes blue and gray undertones. East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, cooler in the afternoon. West-facing rooms are the opposite: cool morning, warm afternoon. Incandescent and warm LED bulbs push colors warmer, while cool-white LEDs and fluorescent tubes push colors cooler. To avoid surprises, always test Cavern Clay with a physical sample on your actual wall, and observe it at different times of day before committing.
Best Rooms for Cavern Clay
Sherwin Williams recommends Cavern Clay for: accent wall, dining room, powder room, bedroom, exterior.
On an accent wall, Cavern Clay creates a focal point that draws the eye and adds visual depth to the room. Pair it with a lighter color on the remaining walls for the best contrast.
Closest Matches in Other Brands
Find the closest equivalent to Sherwin Williams Cavern Clay from other paint brands. Matches are calculated using Delta E (CIE2000), the industry standard for measuring perceptual color difference.
Benjamin Moore Matches
Texas Leather is richer and more leather-toned. Cavern Clay is more orange-terracotta.
View all Benjamin Moore matches →Behr Matches
Canyon Dusk is lighter but similar terracotta character.
View all Behr matches →Coordinating Colors
These colors pair beautifully with Cavern Clay for a cohesive palette. Use them for trim, accents, adjacent rooms, or furniture to create a well-designed space.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are still researching the best Sherwin Williams match for this color. Check back soon for updated match data.
Cavern Clay has warm terracotta undertones. SW's 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta inspired by desert caves. Bold and warm, with the natural beauty of sun-baked clay. Undertones become most visible when the color is on a large surface like a wall, and they shift depending on the light source in your room. Always test with a physical sample in your specific space to see how the undertones interact with your lighting, flooring, and furnishings.
Cavern Clay (SW 7701) has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 15, which puts it in the dark range. LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). At 15, this is a darker color that creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Pair it with bright white trim for the best contrast.
Cavern Clay leans warm. The warm terracotta undertones give it a cozy, inviting quality. It pairs naturally with other warm elements like wood tones, brass hardware, and cream textiles. In north-facing rooms, the warmth is especially welcoming.
Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.